❚ Warriors draw from power of great unknown,
OAKLAND, Calif. – Draymond Green admitted that the uncertainty over the future of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty has given him extra motivation to clinch another title this season.
Green showcased a calmer, more-focused self that had helped the Warriors to the brink of a win in their Western Conference finals series against the Portland Trail Blazers at press time. But despite the team seemingly cruising to another crack at a championship, he conceded there was a different feel this year.
“We know that these runs don’t last forever,” Green said after Golden State’s 114-111 Game 2 victory. “Obviously there are so many questions about things that can possibly happen with this team in the summer. We are going to try to take advantage of this opportunity and make the most of it and deal with the things that come after whenever those things arrive.”
Kevin Durant has uttered virtually nothing on what he plans to do in free agency, though consensus around the league is that he is headed east, bound for the New York Knicks following a three-year stint with the Warriors that might end up bringing a trio of NBA championships.
And while Golden State has shown glimpses during Durant’s lingering calf injury that they can still win without him — and though they won one title and lost another following a 73-9 campaign before his arrival — there is also a realization that his departure would create a power shift in the NBA.
Klay Thompson’s contract is also set to expire, and while the most likely outcome appears to be that he will rejoin the Warriors on a long-term deal, he will have no shortage of interested parties.
For now, however, the length of time this current Warriors group has spent together only works in their favor. After a tired and miserable showing in Game 1, the Trail Blazers came out strongly in Game 2 to open up a 15-point gap at halftime and another eight-point buffer with four minutes remaining.
Experience, poise and calm heads allowed the home side to prevail, capped off by Andre Iguodala stealing the ball from Damian Lillard on the final play. Golden State then went on to win Game 3 110-99.
“You can definitely credit it to experience,” Thompson said. “When you play 100-plus playoff games it doesn’t feel normal, but it feels like you have been there before.”
What this postseason has shown is the extent to which Golden State is better than the rest of the field. The Warriors endured some struggles in the regular season, finding it apparently hard to fully switch on at times, perhaps an unfortunate byproduct of such a long period of sustained success.
However, whenever the serious questions have been asked during the playoffs, the Warriors have responded.
“Never losing our composure, understanding we can get stops and create open looks and get right back into the game,” Stephen Curry said. “You have just got to find a way to win, and that’s what we did. We obviously got challenged to play with more energy, more fight and more focus, and we answered. There is more edge when your back is against the wall. We have done it before.”
The Warriors are indeed playing at a higher level than we’ve seen since last year’s playoffs and several levels higher than anyone else. Who knows what the future holds, but with more and more certainty it seems the only people who can stop this recent glut of Warriors’ success are themselves.
Just look at Green. His performance in Game 3 was notable in that, on occasions when he might typically have railed against the referees, it was distinct and noticeable that Green kept his cool.
“I realized I had got to a point where I was doing more crying than playing,” he said. “I am sure it was disgusting to watch because I felt disgusting playing that way. I just wanted to lock back in on the game.
“I understand that officials are not perfect and I still have conversations with them now when they miss a call, but it is a completely different conversation.”
With Durant injured, the Warriors have been forced to adapt heavily. Curry’s scoring and shooting have been ignited, Thompson has surged and Green has provided energy and poise at both ends of the floor.
“The stat line is ridiculous,” said Thompson, reflecting on Green’s 20 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals in Game 3, which helped Golden State overturn a 13-point halftime deficit to win going away in Portland, Oregon. “Doing it on both ends. But it is nothing new. I have seen him do it for seven years. He is like a second point guard out there and relieves a lot of pressure off of me and Steph. He makes us go, but knowing Dray, he is probably not satisfied.”
However, it might be the little things Green is doing that are making the bigger difference. When youngster Jordan Bell got overexcited on a breakaway and missed a dunk attempt with the team trailing by eight in the third quarter, it was Green who singled him out for kindly words of encouragement. On the final play of a disappointing first half, it was Green who drove strongly and directly for the basket to ensure the deficit was made that little bit more manageable.
And when calls went in a manner he didn’t necessarily approve of, there was none of the ranting and theatrics that had become his trademark of sorts.
“I think it definitely helps the energy,” Green acknowledged. “I still like to pick and choose my spots. Sometime I may take a (technical foul). That’s more mindful than just getting a tech. Sometimes I know we need an energy burst, maybe I will take one. Sometimes I am not mindful and that just kills the energy of my team.
“My mom has been really big, and my fiancee (Hazel Renee) has been really big in just talking to me and telling me to stay locked in on the game. I also have some little ones at the house that’s enjoying watching me play; I don’t necessarily want them to see that.”