Golden State Warriors: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 vs. Blazers
3. Green Somehow Still Underrated
With Curry out, everyone has obviously looked to his fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson as the guy to step up on the offensive end. But what about Draymond Green, who has stepped up nearly every area of his game to accomplish the same goal of filling in for the league MVP?
In the first round, Green averaged 13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 38.9 percent from three-point range. He put up a 15-9-8 stat line in the series clincher and in Game 4, when Curry went to the locker room and momentum was up for grabs, Green came out with a third quarter flurry to finish with 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a complete rout.
In Game 1 against Portland, Green was magnificent once again, earning some high praise from Andrew Bogut that will have San Antonio Spurs fans grabbing their torches and pitchforks.
Andrew Bogut has high praise for fellow teammate Draymond Green. pic.twitter.com/0sONTeDjq5
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 1, 2016
Is Draymond Green the best all-around player in the NBA? Kawhi Leonard would have something to say about that (if he ever spoke, that is), but regardless, Green’s 23-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double in Game 1 was yet another reminder that on a historically great team, he’s somehow still underrated.
Green is not the most offensively inclined player, especially when Curry is on the floor. But without him, Green has stepped up his scoring (23 points), been efficient with his long range attempts (2-for-5) and has still managed to bring the same intensity on defense (three blocks, one steal).
With Draymond Green playing like this, the Warriors haven’t missed their league MVP just yet.
Next: No. 2