NBA Golden State Warriors

Draymond Green Symbolizes Golden State Warriors’ Mentality

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It’s hard to believe, but Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has only started 18 regular season games during his career. In just two short seasons, the former 35th pick in the 2012 draft has become an integral part of the Warriors’ team identity.

During the 2011-2012 season, before Green took the floor for Golden State, the Dubs posted a 109.1 defensive rating, the fourth-worst in the league. Currently, they’re the stingiest defensive team in the league with a 91.6 defensive rating. Despite starting both guard Stephen Curry and forward David Lee, offensive specialists without much defensive talent, the Dubs managed to become an elite defensive team thanks to scrappy defensive effort by center Andrew Bogut, guard Klay Thompson, forward Andre Iguodala and – you guessed it – Green. The Warriors, who had not fielded an above-average defensive squad since the 1998-1999 season (and had not fielded a better defensive squad than last season’s since 1964) are now an elite defensive team. That requires a major shift in culture and team identity.

Much of that shift had to do with the scrappy play of Bogut, and his willingness to act as an enforcer when needed. However, with Bogut sidelined with a rib injury during last year’s playoffs versus the arch-rival Los Angeles Clippers, Green took the position of lead agitator. Green got underneath Clippers forward Blake Griffin’s skin with strong, physical defense and mental games. With his active hands in passing lanes, ability to block shots, second-to-none effort on the boards and relentless hustle, Green works as the Warriors’ “glue guy” who represents hard work and a winning player.

Alex Moss covers the Golden State Warriors for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @Manus_BaldSpot or add him to your network on Google. You can also find his own blog at manusbaldspot.weebly.com.

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