Golden State Warriors: 3 players who must step up in Stephen Curry’s absence
By Justin Fried
3. Draymond Green
At this time last year, the Warriors were a team composed of five all-stars ready to be unleashed on the NBA. One year later, and Draymond Green is the only man left standing.
Green has been the emotional leader of the Warriors organization over the dynasty years and even extending into this season and likely the future. But that leadership and guidance will be put to the ultimate test now.
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Without Curry, Green is the only remaining member of the dynasty that still remains healthy. And on a team full of young, unproven talent, he remains perhaps the only constant.
Green will be tasked with serving as the on-court and off-court leader for this new-look Warriors team. Not only must he play his best basketball, but he must do his best to keep the younger players in check and help them develop.
His impact, while immense, has never been as tangible as the likes of Curry, Thompson, and Durant. He doesn’t put up breathtaking 40-point games on the regular nor does he shoot 40% from three-point range.
But Green does the dirty work and is arguably the most important piece of the Warriors puzzle. And now, he’ll have to do more than he ever has before to keep this Warriors team afloat.
The Warriors will look nearly unrecognizable without Curry, Thompson, and company, but the one constant piece remains Draymond Green.