Green not free of rust in return from long layoff
Draymond Green’s long-awaited return was not expected to be a quick fix, and it wasn’t.
After his season debut was delayed four games because of foot and conditioning issues, Green returned for the home opener Friday night. He went scoreless on 0-for-2 shooting and had four rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes as the Warriors lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 123-98.
Though Green, playing his first game in 10 months, contributed to moments of budding chemistry, the new-look Warriors (23) are still a long way from competing with the Western Conference’s top teams.
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 CJ Mccollum. Portland’s premier duo combined for 62 points on 22-for- 42 shooting and paced an offense that made 46.5% of its 3-point attempts in the game.
Here are five takeaways from the loss to the Trail Blazers, who will return to the Chase Center today to play Golden State: HIGHS AND LOWS FOR GREEN >> Before Friday, it had been 307 days since Green last played, and it looked like it. Limited to
five- to six-minute spurts as his conditioning continues to progress, Green had a hard time getting comfortable, especially alongside this unfamiliar supporting cast.
“He needs a few games under his belt to get that conditioning and that rhythm,” coach Steve Kerr said. “There’s no question it’s going to take some time.”
If there was a bright spot, it was that two of Green’s four assists set up Stephen Curry 3s. On one particularly vintage play, Green stole the ball from center Enes Kanter near the rim, initiated a fastbreak 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.
“We just need everybody available to keep going through these lumps early and try to find our way and find our identity,” said Curry, who had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in 34 minutes. “And, for me and him, we got to be able to lead that.”
WHERE’S THE 3-POINT DEFENSE? >> Opponents are 85 for 190 from 3- point range against the Warriors this season after Portland made 20 of its 43 3-point attempts. 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.
“We got to get into them, make it difficult,” Andrew Wiggins said.
It’s clear 19- year- old James Wiseman has much to learn, and that was evident in the latest loss. On several occasions, Wiseman was pulled into pick-and-rolls, and Portland’s experienced backcourt picked him and the Warriors defense apart.
On a 3-pointer by Lillard in the third quarter, Wiseman failed to alert Wiggins that Kanter was about to set a screen. Wiggins got thumped by Kanter’s chest and Wiseman was late to react, giving way to a wideopen 3-pointer.
Fixing their pick-and-roll coverage would have a wideranging, positive impact on Golden State’s defense.
“Defense is about five men being connected,” Kerr said, “and we’re getting a lot of holes at the point of attack. Then we’re getting broken down and teams are swinging the ball into wideopen shots.”
Also not helping is how much the Warriors foul. Entering the game, the Warriors were second in the league, committing 25 fouls per game. After the loss, Kerr was irritated about allowing Portland to take 29 free-throw attempts.
“We literally talk every game about defending without fouling and then we just foul,” Kerr said. “We just mindlessly reach. So we have to do something about that.” JAMES WISEMAN SETTLED FOR TOO MANY JUMPERS >> Before the game, Kerr hinted that he could begin to roll out some new wrinkles for Wiseman on offense. So, on the first possession, the Warriors ran a play designed to get Wiseman an open jumper. Curry set a screen, drawing the defense’s attention, and
Wiseman sprung open beyond the arc, from where he’s made 5 of 10 3-pointers this season. He drilled the shot (although his foot was on the line and he got credit for a 2-pointer).
“In my first year and having the play drawn up for myself is pretty awesome,” Wiseman said.
Wiseman went on to shoot 2 for 8 overall and 0 for 2 from 3-point range. Too often, he settled for perimeter jumpers instead of using his speed, size and strength to get to the basket. By halftime, he was 1 for 5 and did not take a single shot in the paint. It wasn’t until the third quarter that Wiseman dunked to finish a pick-and-roll with Curry.
While the Warriors are pleasantly surprised by Wiseman’s outside jumper, they need him to first be dominant in the paint. Instead, he settled for the first shot available when he should either use his dribble to get to the basket or keep the ball moving in the flow of the offense.
“Being more patient, that’s what I’m working on,” Wiseman said. “I go super fast sometimes.”
ERIC PASCHALL IS SMALLBALL CENTER NOW >> In the two games since Marquese Chriss’ serious leg injury, the Warriors have used Eric Paschall as a center off the bench. In that role, he’s looked comfortable playing in the space afforded by Golden State’s small- ball lineups. Despite the 6-foot-6 Paschall giving up 4 inches to Kanter, Portland’s backup center, he held his own defensively and took advantage of the plodding Kanter on offense. In just 11 minutes, Kanter was minus-7.
“I’m fine and I’m good with playing small- ball center,” said Paschall, who occasionally played center at Villanova. “Feel like I’m strong enough to do it.”
THERE’S A GAP BETWEEN WARRIORS AND TOP TEAMS >> The Warriors have lost their three games against playoff opponents — the Nets, Bucks and Trail Blazers — by a combined 90 points. Portland is the first of the Western Conference powers that they’ve played.
As the NBA aims to limit travel during this condensed 72-game season, it has instituted baseball-style mini-series that will allow teams to complete multiple games against an opponent in a single trip. The Warriors and Trail Blazers will complete their first mini-series when they play again today.
“We’re looking for that opportunity to come back and prove that we can make those adjustments, play better and compete,” Curry said. “I’m sure they’re going to try to do some things differently, but that’s kind of the cool part about this situation, this little mini-playoff series. We get to make those adjustments and come back.”