Tag: Draymond Green

Recapping Draymond Green’s emotional Michigan State jersey retirement

When Draymond Green’s No. 23 jersey was raised into the rafters, the Warriors All-Star got emotional in his old stomping grounds.

Although No. 11 Michigan State couldn’t fend off the No. 10 Duke Blue Devils 87-75, it was still a memorable night in East Lansing due to one former Spartan turned Golden State Warrior.

Draymond Green’s No. 23 Spartan jersey was raised into the rafters in Michigan State’s Breslin Center for retirement in front of a packed crowd.

The Saginaw, Michigan product led the Spartans to two Final Four appearances and three Big Ten regular-season championships. Green was a consensus first-team All-American, NABC Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year, all in 2012. Now his white and green No. 23 jersey will be immortalized in the Michigan State arena forever.

Here are some of the highlights from Green’s memorable night in East Lansing:

DubNation in the building

Several members of the Golden State Warriors organization made the trip to East Lansing to support Green on his special night. Warriors owner. Joe Lacob, general manager, Bob Myers, and Steve Kerr were all in attendance. Other members like Zaza Pachulia, D’Angelo Russell, and Klay Thompson were in the building.

Green said the type of support his teammates and coaches showed was a reason why he wants to stay with Golden State forever.

“Not one person would have said they were wrong if they didn’t come here — it’s my college jersey getting retired,” Green said in his jersey retirement press conference, via Noah Trister of the Associated Press. “They took the time out of their schedule to be here for me. Those are the things that make you say, ‘OK, I want to be there for the rest of my career.’ And I would do anything for that organization to help make that happen.”

Draymond showing emotion

The former Defensive Player of the Year is a passionate and fiery competitor on the basketball court; we rarely get to see the softer side of Green, the person. When handed the microphone to address the Michigan State crowd, Green became a bit emotional when talking about getting to live out his childhood dreams.

“As a kid from Saginaw, Michigan, my goal and dream was to play at Michigan State, it was never to get my jersey retired, and I lived that dream.” Green said during his halftime ceremony.

Respect from around the NBA

Green is a polarizing player across the NBA, but on the night of his jersey retirement, former stars from Michigan State reached out to congratulate the Warriors forward on the honor.

Jaren Jackson, Denzel Valentine and Miles Bridges all reached out to Green via a video compiled by “Uninterrupted.” Former Golden State “We Believe” star, Jason Richardson, also made an appearance to congratulate Green.

Steve Kerr is searching for rhythm and continuity in Warriors rotation

After dropping four straight games, Steve Kerr wants to find a rotation with some rhythm and continuity.

For a stretch in November, the Golden State Warriors were trotting out only eight healthy players, although it didn’t show in the standings, the thin lineup seemed to work. Head coach Steve Kerr was able to find a competitive rotation with only three players off his bench.

The Dubs weren’t racking up wins, but they battled against favored teams down to the wire night-in-and-night-out. Now, four games into the Warriors five-game road trip, Golden State is one of the healthiest it’s been all season. Draymond Green, D’Angelo Russell and Kevon Looney all have returned from injury stints and are back at Kerr’s disposal— good news, right? Not so fast.

In back-to-back games, both Looney and Russell have returned, but each contest the Warriors have been blown out by fellow struggling teams. Golden State looked like a different team, the effort and grit from the weeks prior now absent. The moral victories have turned into lackluster losses.

Kerr hasn’t been happy with his squad’s recent performance, and his struggles could be due to the arrival of familiar, yet new faces to his team’s rotation.

“Tonight we had a lot of guys which was good, but we didn’t have much continuity, we didn’t have much rhythm,” Kerr said to reporters after the 106-91 loss in Charlotte. “The upside of eight guys is everyone’s going to play—you know then you get everyone healthy, now guys are not going to getting as much playing time—maybe you have to juggle positions around a little bit.”

The Warriors guard depth is still fairly slim, even with Russell. However, their frontcourt is logjammed with Green and Looney available. Instead of making the most out of eight players, Kerr’s now tasked deploying a healthy, yet unaccustomed lineup that can compete.

“We need to find whatever rotation allows us to compete at a high level and win a game, that’s the main thing—the last two games I was not happy at all with the energy and the execution on both ends,” said Kerr. “Our job as a staff is to find the combinations that give us that chance.”

Golden State only has one game left on its five-game road trip to salvage a victory before heading back to Chase Center. The 8-14 Chicago Bulls provide a good opportunity for Kerr to get a good look at what rotation could get his team back on track.

Draymond Green says Warriors helped increase NBA ratings

The Golden State Warriors’ dominance helped bring more people to watching NBA games.

With the Golden State Warriors having the worst record in the NBA, it’s a rough state of affairs for the franchise that’s won three titles in the past five seasons.

But aside from the Warriors’ situation, the NBA is in a bad spot, too. Ratings have been down to begin the season. Per John Ourand of Sports Business Journal, TNT’s and ESPN’s ratings are down 23% and 20%, respectively.

On Wednesday, Warriors forward Draymond Green was asked about what he thought was the reasoning for ratings being down. Green acknowledged he isn’t very knowledgeable on the situation, but he did say how the Warriors’ quality play over the past few seasons helped the league’s ratings.

“The Warriors definitely helped boost the ratings, and not so much right now,” Green said, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “So I think that definitely plays a part in it.”

Steve Kerr added that Steph Curry being out with a hand injury is a potential factor for ratings being down. Per Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune, Curry said in November he will need a second hand surgery in December. After the second surgery, he will be re-evaluated in three months.

“I’m not the expert on this stuff,” Kerr said, per Slater. “I don’t think it helps that Steph’s injured. I know he drives the ratings. But I’m not really sure.”

Golden State has been flexed out of two upcoming national TV games, per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. The Warriors’ game Dec. 13 against the Utah Jazz won’t be on ESPN. The team’s Dec. 18 game against the Portland Trail Blazers also won’t be on ESPN.

The Warriors have been the most dominant team of the 2010s, and their extraordinary play helped bring more eyes to NBA games.

But with the Warriors being at the bottom of the standings this season, their lack of success likely is a factor for the decrease in ratings.

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Michigan State to retire Draymond Green’s No. 23 with Warriors present

Draymond Green will get his number 23 jersey hung in the Michigan State rafters forever with several Warriors watching from the stands.

When No. 11 Michigan State clashes with fellow powerhouse No. 10 Duke, there will be a little more on the line than a typical ACC-Big Ten challenge. “Spartan Dawg” legend, Draymond Green will get his No.23 jersey retired by the university he spent four years at through 2008-12.

Green finished as the school’s all-time leading rebounder (1,096), second in blocks (117) and steals (180). He registered three career college triple-doubles in East Lansing, second to NBA Hall of Famer, Magic Johnson. During his time in white and green, the Saginaw, Michigan standout was a consensus first-team All-American, NABC Player of the Years and Big Ten Player of the Year all in 2012.

Alongside legendary college coach Tom Izzo, Green led the Spartans to two final four appearances and three Big Ten regular-season championships.

When Green’s number gets pulled into the rafters, he will have the support of some of his Golden State teammates, including head coach Steve Kerr.

“One of the things I love about Draymond is I know how much Michigan State means to him, His loyalty to his school is a big part of who he is and a big part of what he’s meant to the Warriors. This is a league where routinely, you get guys after they spent four months on a college campus and then they’re gone.” Kerr told reporters during the team’s trip to Atlanta. “I love the fact that he’s so loyal to his school. That’s his foundation, that’s his rock. We’ve been the beneficiary of everything, Coach Izzo, and the school did for Draymond. It’ll be nice for me to be there. I know Bob (Myers) and Joe (Lacob) feel the same way.”

Warriors general manager Bob Myers, and owner, Joe Lacob, will also be in East Lansing to watch Green’s jersey retirement. Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported other individual Warriors would also be in attendance. The team is currently in the middle of a five-game road trip with the Charlotte Hornets next on the docket.

Green’s night will be memorable, but with the Warriors slated to have a high lottery pick, it’s also an opportunity for Myers and the Warriors to get a look at some top prospects playing in the game. Duke players like Vernon Carey Jr, Matthew Hurt and Michigan State’s Cassius Winston could be targets for Golden State in June’s 2020 NBA draft.

Warriors’ frontcourt rotation due for shift with Kevon Looney’s return

The strength of the Warriors lineup is their interior, but will the return of Kevon Looney clog the frontline rotation?

The underlying positive side of the Warriors roster getting tarnished by injury has been the opportunities that have opened up for players at the end of the bench.

Depth pieces like Omari Spellman and Marquese Chriss have impressed with an increased role for the Warriors. Each has earned more playing time, but are their minutes in the Warriors rotation to spare with reinforcements on the way?

For the first time in a long time, Golden State will be getting some healthy bodies returning to the lineup, starting with Kevon Looney. Looney signed a 3-year contract worth $15 million over the offseason and looks to be a core piece for the Warriors’ future. What does that mean for the playing time of Spellman, Chriss and Willie Cauley-Stein?

Adding Looney and a healthy Draymond Green to the Warriors frontcourt suddenly crowds the Warriors big-man rotation— especially if standout rookie Eric Paschall gets minutes at power forward.

Cauley-Stein has started every game he’s been available except for once this season, but hasn’t played a game with Looney next to him. Looney is a bit more versatile and can play both big man positions, while Cauley-Stein is primarily a center option for coach Steve Kerr. Looney’s only start of the season came at the five, with Green playing next to him at the four, in the first game of 2019.

If Kerr opts to continue starting Cauley-Stein, the Warriors can play either Green, Looney, or Paschall at power forward, another crowded position. Both Green and Paschall can play at small forward as well if Kerr decides to go big— something he’s done more of with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson unavailable.

Looney’s return gives Kerr and the Warriors a lot more flexibility with how the team deplores Paschall and Green. With the team still dealing with injuries to their backcourt, Kerr could continue to run Green out as his point guard, with Looney, Cauley-Stein and Pachall all on the floor at the same time.

Looney’s return to the lineup is, of course, a positive; however, it does provide a predicament with the usage of Spellman and Chriss. Each has been seeing a large number of minutes that will probably be split upon Looney’s return to full health.

Spellman’s established himself as a legitimate stretch-four and an offensive rebounding machine, while Chriss has been an energizer off the bench. Each has a unique skill set, but Kerr will have to get creative with how he uses them.

The Warriors will have some time to figure out what rotation works best as they’re still dealing with a crop of injuries. Looney is expected to slowly be worked back into the rotation, while Green is dealing with a lingering sore heel. While Kerr maps out how his frontline will look, Chriss and Spellman will have a handful of more opportunities to show they deserve to be apart of the rotation.

Draymond Green expected to sit vs. Hawks on Warriors road back-to-back

The Warriors are giving veteran, Draymond Green an off day when the team plays the second part of a back-to-back in Atlanta.

Draymond Green is expected to receive a rest day when the Warriors travel to Atlanta for the second leg of a back-to-back. Although it may feel like a case of load management, Green’s day off may be more about his sore heel injury that’s lingering around the former Defensive Player of the Year.

Green missed three-straight games in late November with a heel injury that’s been hampering the Michigan State product’s season.

Green played under 20-minutes in the Warriors tight battle with the Orlando Magic and told reporters after the game that he’s dealing with some inflammation in his heel still.

“I’m not someone who restricts my minutes because of the nature of the season— I restrict my minutes because my heel and to make sure it’s not something that creeps back up,” Green told reporters in Orlando. “If I was going to restrict my minutes due to the nature of the season, I would have done that a long time ago— it’s not about that.”

Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Kerr could opt to rest Green more throughout the remainder of the season. Green’s one of the only players in 2019 left standing from the core of the championship roster with both “Splash Brothers” injured and Kevin Durant now with the Brooklyn Nets.

On the positive side, Kevon Looney is expected to return from his neuropathic condition against Atlanta, giving the Warriors some flexibility with their frontcourt. The Warriors are deep enough at forward, and down in the standings that they can be patient with Green’s heel.

Look: Draymond Green praises Alabama basketball HC Nate Oats

The Alabama basketball team is off to a disappointing start in 2019. Through six games, the Crimson Tide is 2-4, including back-to-back losses to North Carolina and Iowa State in the “Battle for Atlantis” tournament. The unfortunate start to new …

The Alabama basketball team is off to a disappointing start in 2019. Through six games, the Crimson Tide is 2-4, including back-to-back losses to North Carolina and Iowa State in the “Battle for Atlantis” tournament.

The unfortunate start to new head coach Nate Oats’ tenure could have Alabama fans concerned about the future of the program, but one familiar name in the world of basketball gave some relieving insight via Twitter.

Golden State Warriors starting power forward Draymond Green was that player, and he revealed his opinion during the Crimson Tide’s second loss in as many days on Thanksgiving:

This was never going to be an instant turnover for the program, especially with key injures to players such as Juwan Gary and James Rojas. And if that wasn’t enough, the NCAA also denied Villanova transfer Jahvon Quinerly’s request for immediate eligibility.

It’s frustrating right now, Alabama fans, but continue to try to show patience. Oats is the right man for the job!

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The Warriors find a way to close out, beat Bulls 104-90 for home win

Draymond Green was Golden State’s missing link when it comes to closing out games. The Warriors get their fourth win of the season, behind Omari Spellman, Alec Burks and Eric Paschall.

It seemed like a similar script to the last couple of games for the Golden State Warriors, wire-to-wire battle behind a gritty performance from their understaffed lineup. Although, instead of letting the game slip away in the final minutes, they closed out against the Chicago Bulls for a 104-90 win.

Draymond Green

The Warriors dropped their previous two games by a combined seven total points with the common factor being no Draymond Green, tonight that changed with the captain returning from his sore heel injury.

Green only tallied seven points and eight assists, but his value against the Bulls won’t show up in the stat sheet. Green controlled the pace of the game for Golden State. Anytime the Bulls tried to rally, the former Defensive Player of the Year showed up. Green slowed the ball down when the young players looked rattled, and even hit a timely three-pointer when the team needed a bucket.

Eric Paschall

Eric Paschall continued on his notable rookie campaign leading Golden State, leading them in scoring with 25-points, his sixth 20-plus scoring game on the season. Paschall has turned into the Warriors go-to scoring option while D’Angelo Russell is injured.

Omari Spellman

Over the past handful of games, Omari Spellman has impressed with his shooting, but against the Bulls, the second-year pro banged around inside, grabbing a season-high 11 rebounds and adding 13 points. Spellman punched his first double-double as a Warrior.

Alec Burks

Lastly, Alec Burks turned in another solid night for the Warriors, with a near triple-double performance. The veteran poured in 23 points, with 10 rebounds and seven assists. Burks is slowly turning himself into a viable bench piece for next season or an attractive trade chip for the Warriors.

It was a genuine full-squad effort for Golden State, as five different players scored in double-digits on 47.5 percent shooting. The Warriors will now head on a five-game road trip after enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday.

Draymond Green returns to starting lineup after 4-game absence

Draymond Green has already missed eight games this season, but he wouldn’t make it nine on Wednesday night. He’s back to take on the Bulls.

After a three-game absence and questions as to whether he would be available for Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls, Draymond Green was reported as returning to active duty for Steve Kerr’s team shortly before tip-off at Chase Center.

Green would return to the starting lineup for the Warriors and would replace Ky Bowman as the team’s point guard. Bowman would head back to the bench while Green would start alongside Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson III, Eric Paschall and Wilie Cauley-Stein.

The big lineup started two previous games for the Warriors, and they’ve split those contests. Whether or not the Dubs can score the win over the Bulls on Wednesday night, though, Green’s presence in the lineup is a positive development, especially considering the team’s injury woes this season.

For Green personally, he’s already missed eight of the team’s 18 contests this season. He joins a long list of players which includes D’Angelo Russell, Kevon Looney, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson as those who have been shelved extensively in the early goings of the year.

If for no other reason than that, Kerr is certainly happy to have him available to take the floor. Hopefully, for he and the team’s sake, their luck (or lack thereof) on the injury front improves.

Warriors could have a duo of injured All-Stars return to court soon

The Warriors injuries are so bad, that the fact one former All-Star is even traveling with the team on their upcoming road trip comes as a breath of fresh air.

It has been 10 days since D’Angelo Russell left the game against the Boston Celtics with a right thumb injury. At that time, Russell was playing his best basketball as a Warrior. With Stephen Curry out, Russell was the first, second and third best scoring option in Steve Kerr’s offense. With the one time Ohio State Buckeye being the go-to guy, Russell was scoring at a frenetic pace.

Before getting injured, Russell was averaging 34.0 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in his past four games. Before his four-game heater, Russell missed three games dealing with an ankle injury. Similar to the entire Warriors team, Russell’s season has lacked any rhythm.

Before the team tipped off against Oklahoma City, there was some positive news about the All-Star’s injured thumb. Russell will travel with the team during their upcoming five-game road trip and with an injury update coming Saturday, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Slater spotted Russell at practice on Sunday working, but not using his right hand. Russell traveling with the team is a good sign because he was not with Golden State on their recent four-game road swing.

While the news on Russell is positive, Draymond Green was ruled out for his third straight game with a sore heel. Kerr and the Warriors are taking a conservative approach with their forward’s heel. Although the injury isn’t said to be serious, Kerr told reporters that Green’s heel soreness is still lingering, and they don’t want to risk anything.

The Warriors only have eight healthy players currently on their roster, but help should be on the way soon. Kevon Looney, another banged up Dub, is on pace to return during the Warriors post-Thanksgiving road trip. The Warriors could have Looney, Green and Russell all return sometime soon.