Green returns, Warriors lose
Golden State opens 2020-21 slate at Chase Center with a 123-98 loss to a superior Portland team
Draymond Green’s longawaited return was not expected to be a quick fix, and that was made clear in the Golden State Warriors’ 123-98 home-opening loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday at Chase Center.
After Green’s season debut was delayed four games because of foot and conditioning issues, he went scoreless on 0-for-2 shooting and had four rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes in his first game in 10 months.
Though Green contributed to moments of budding chemistry, these new-look Warriors (23) are still a long way from competing with the top teams in the Western Conference.
One of those teams is the Trail Blazers (3-2), who are led by perhaps the best backcourt in the league — as long as Klay Thompson, out for the season with a torn Achilles, is injured — in Damian Lillard and C. J. McCollum. Portland’s premier duo combined to score 62 points on 22-for- 42 shooting and paced an
offense that made 46.5% of their 3-point attempts in the game.
For the Warriors, Stephen Curry had 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes, but could not find his 3-point shot (9-for-20 overall, 4-for12 from 3-point range) as the Warriors overall struggled from beyond the arc, from where they shot just 7-for-35 (20%).
This was a game that got out of hand early, as the Trail Blazers made seven of their first eight 3-point attempts and, with McCollum’s step- back jumper,
opened up a 20-point lead a little more than nine minutes into the game.
“The start of the game was very disappointing,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “We just didn’t have much energy and they came out smoking hot. They were making everything.”
Though the Warriors cut the deficit to single digits a handful of times throughout the game, the Trail Blazers maintained a healthy distance en route to a comfortable win. DRAYMOND GREEN’S DEBUT HAD HIGHS AND LOWS >> Before Friday, it had been 307 days since Green last played, and it looked like it. Limited to 5- 6 minute spurts as his conditioning continues to progress,
Green had a hard time getting comfortable, especially alongside this unfamiliar supporting cast.
If there was a bright spot, it was that two of Green’s four assists set up Curry 3-pointers. On one play that was particularly vintage, Green stole the ball from Portland center Enes Kanter near the rim, initiated a fast break and found Curry trailing for a 3-pointer.
This is the sort of thing that has been missing from Golden State’s offense, and something Green should, eventually, be able to provide more as his minutes ramp up.
GOLDEN STATE’S DEFENSE CONTINUES TO ALLOW A RECORD NUMBER OF 3-POINTERS >> After Portland made 20 of its 43 3- point attempts, opponents are now 85- for-190 from 3- point range against the Warriors’ defense this season. That’s a conversation rate of 44.7%. For reference: the worst defense in the league last season gave up 38.9% shooting from beyond the arc.
What’s the problem? The Warriors are botching rotations, failing to communicate screens and whiffing on personnel-specific coverages. For example, in the first quarter, Kelly Oubre Jr. went under on a screen set for McCollum. That’s giving a career 40% 3-point shooter too much space, especially when Kevon Looney doesn’t provide even a little help.