Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Pelicans

3. Disrespecting Draymond may backfire

When facing a team with Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, it makes sense to dare Green to shoot 3s. At least, from a practical standpoint.

For the Pelicans, the strategy has not gone as planned. Every time they leave Green open, he takes it as a massive sign of disrespect. When it is newfound-rival Rondo sagging off, Green gets even more indignant.

That doesn’t mean he channels that slighted feeling into jacking up bad shots. Green has attempted only seven 3s through two games, just below his season average of 3.7 attempts per game.

Rather, he channels it by amping up his intensity elsewhere. If you don’t think that’s possible, check out rebounding, playmaking and defensive clinic he put on Davis in Game 2:

Green is also shooting 42.9 percent from deep. While the sample size is miniscule (3-for-7), it would not be shocking for that trend to continue. Over the years, he has proven to be a rhythm shooter, and a clutch one as well. He shot 41.9 percent last postseason, and 36.5 percent the year before.

Green shooting 3s is the least of many evils for New Orleans. Daring him to do so, however, has unleashed the Warriors’ most fiery demon.