A new game:
Draymond Green is among players whose versatility is helping basketball evolve.
NEW ORLEANS — When Draymond Green was going through the draft process three years ago, NBA decision- makers thought he might be too slow to be a small forward and too small to be a power forward.
Unwilling to label himself, Green would respond to questions about his position by saying, “I play basketball.”
This season, Green might have created an entirely new position while setting career highs in points ( 11.7), rebounds ( 8.2), assists ( 3.7) and field- goal percentage ( 44.3).
“Here’s how I describe his position: He’s a walking basketball encyclopedia, he’s a coach on the floor and he’s a point guard on the floor,” TNT analyst Steve Smith said in a phone interview Wednesday. “He’s tough enough and physical enough that you can put him at any position, and he’s not going to hurt his team.”
Green is among a wave of players who are driving the evolution of the game. Their versatility on defense rarely has been seen, and they have the ability to stretch the floor with their shooting while playing what have historically been post positions.
Smith, who is from Detroit, watched Green — who is from Saginaw ( 100 miles from Detroit) — when the latter was in high school and at Michigan State and got updates on Green’s workouts this summer. Green is about to be rewarded handsomely for his long hours on the court and his grueling exercise- bike rides in the sauna.
He’ll become a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Warriors may match any opponent’s offer sheet. It’s expected that at least one team will offer Green a maximum contract.
“He’s a throwback in that he approaches life the way he approaches the game,” Smith said. “It’s just about winning. I understand how sometimes we look at numbers or analytics, and people will say, ‘ How can you give this guy that type of money?’ But you have to go back to impact. I always say, ‘ Give me letters, those Ws over those Ls, and I’ll take that over numbers. That’s the impact he has.” Briefly: Green ( ankle) didn’t scrimmage Wednesday, but head coach Steve Kerr said he will be fine for Game 3. … Warriors reserve forward David Lee ( back) is listed as doubtful. ... Reserve forward James Michael McAdoo, who stayed in the Bay Area with flu- like symptoms, is expected to rejoin the Warriors on Thursday and is listed as questionable. … New Orleans head coach Monty Williams said point guard Jrue Holiday, who missed Game 2 with soreness in his lower right leg, is day to day.