It’s something that’s hard to fathom, but six of the Warriors’ eight guards are injured, with only rookies Jordan Poole and Ky Bowman currently available in the backcourt. Steve Kerr will have to be creative with who handles the ball during their injury-riddled road trip—enter Draymond Green.
Luckily for the Warriors, the former center of the “death lineup” can handle the rock nicely. Saturday night in New Orleans, Coach Kerr said “Draymond is really good in a facilitating role, so Draymond will handle the ball quite a bit,”
Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported the Warriors will start Draymond Green at point guard versus the New Orleans Pelicans. During the former Michigan State Spartan’s career, he’s started at center, power forward and now at point guard.
I’m hearing the Warriors are going to start Draymond Green at point guard today in New Orleans. Gives the Warriors a taller, like-sized, switchy group to open game: Draymond, Glenn Robinson, Alec Burks, Eric Paschall, Willie Cauley-Stein.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 17, 2019
Earlier this season, Kerr said he needs to find ways to feature Green more on offense and this is the perfect opportunity.
Green’s always had an eye for passing over his career, averaging 4.9 assists. Green had a career-high 16 assists back in 2017, but the confidence in Green to take over point guard responsibilities doesn’t just come from his passing skillset.
Green is a floor general even if he’s not playing true point guard. He’s always been able to push the ball up the floor in his career, but even in half court sets, he can control the Warriors offense.
The biggest difference for Green will be the players surrounding him. He won’t have players like Kevin Durant, Curry and Thompson to dish the rock too, so the offense will have to go through him alone.
When Green makes his debut at the point, the Warriors will have started five different players at point guard through only 14 games this season. Green’s switch will mark the Dubs’ 10th different starting lineup this season according to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Warriors have their 10th starting lineup in 14 games: Burks, Robinson, Paschall, Green and Cauley-Stein.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) November 17, 2019
Green leading the way at the point will give the Warriors their biggest lineup of the season with him surrounded by Willie Cauley-Stein, Eric Paschall, Alec Burks, and Glenn Robinson III. No player in the starting lineup will be listed under 6-foot-6.
The big lineup should give the Warriors league-worst defense a boost versus the Pelicans, who are also dealing with an array of injuries.