Warriors star Draymond Green doesn’t need anyone to remind him about his rough 2023-24 NBA season; he knows he fell short both in his performance and his conduct. Aware of how his actions affected the team, Green is determined to shift the narrative and bring the Warriors back into contention this season.
Following the Warriors’ 104-89 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at Chase Center, Green opened up to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike on Warriors Postgame Live, sharing his hopes for a fresh start.
“I know I had an awful year last year,” Green admitted. “It just wasn’t right. I didn’t play well, and I didn’t act well. I want to show who I really am. I want to show growth.”
Reflecting on the challenges he faced last season, Green acknowledged how his emotions sometimes got the best of him, leading to clashes with referees. “I talked last year about wanting to be a champion of change,” he said. “Referees are human—they make mistakes. It’s an emotional game, and my intensity is one of my strengths. Now, I’m focused on learning how to control those emotions and channel them in the right way.”
Green’s performance on the court is already speaking volumes. In 30 minutes of play during the back-to-back game, he posted 14 points, six assists, five blocks, and four rebounds, shooting 5-of-11 from the field and hitting three of five three-point attempts. As a former Defensive Player of the Year, he was also instrumental in containing Pelicans star Zion Williamson, who struggled with just 12 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
For the Warriors to be playoff contenders, they need a committed and available Draymond Green. Five games into this season, Green’s commitment to growth is showing, which could mean great things for the Warriors’ future.
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