Warriors: The 5 keys to their record-breaking 16-0 start
By Tom West
Draymond Green’s playmaking
Behind the Stephen Curry hype train, Draymond Green has emerged as one the most talked about stars the Warriors have at their disposal. Last season, it was primarily because of his defense and ability to move to center to create Golden State’s renowned small ball lineup.
He would have been crowned Defensive Player of the Year if it wasn’t for Kawhi Leonard, but that doesn’t take away from Green’s abilities. He’s only 6’7″, yet he can still defend opposing big men in the post and crash the boards against players who tower above him. That kind of grit and grind attitude has made him the Warriors’ defensive glue-guy.
He’s someone all teams want and he plays within his skill set incredibly well.
Now, he’s doing even more.
In the Warriors’ fluid offense where passes fly effortlessly around the court, every player has to be able to pass. The way Green has elevated his playmaking ability this season, though, adds another weapon to Golden State’s already loaded artillery.
His ball handling has improved, he can run a fast break, he can drive and dish to teammates at times, and his overall vision and timing on passes seems to be at a higher level than it was a year ago. He’s up from 3.7 assists per game last season to 6.6 currently because of it, and now ranks 10th in the NBA in assists. On top of that, he’s creating 15.7 points per game from his passes (per NBA.com’s Player Tracking). That just so happens to rank him above the likes Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry, Ty Lawson, Blake Griffin, and that pretty good teammate of his, Stephen Curry.
It’s not bad company for a power forward. And seeing as the Warriors value Green most for defense, his passing and career-high 43.5 percent three point stroke just makes him even more important.
Griffin has always been the closest thing in the league to a point guard-power forward. His ball handling and speed just sets him apart from everyone else. However, while Green may not have the same quickness or dribbling, the way he can operate as a facilitator in the Warriors’ offense has been a key factor in allowing them to go 16-0.
Next: Pace