Golden State Warriors: The rise of Draymond Green
By Tony Pesta
Introduction to the NBA
The Golden State Warriors drafted Draymond Green with the 35th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. When he joined the team, he found himself deep in the rotation. Green was fighting for minutes behind All-Star David Lee and veteran forward Carl Landry. Consequently, Green played just 13.4 minutes a game and was a non-factor for the team.
However, Green would get his first chance to shine in his rookie year during the NBA Playoffs. After Lee suffered an injury in Game 1, it was time for Green to step up. He played 19.9 minutes per game in the postseason and averaged 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds.
The Warriors quickly noticed how effective Green could be on the floor. He had the ability to rebound the ball and push the tempo. His ball-handling skills were above-average for a forward and this opened up endless possibilities for Golden State.
As Green entered his third year in the NBA, he began to have a real impact on the team. He was now starting in every game he played. His energy on the court made him a spark plug for the rest of the team. The Warriors fed off of his energy and his fans were loving him.
On the other hand, opposing fanbases started to despise him. Green was disrupting plays constantly and was extremely vocal during each moment of the game. His in-your-face style of play rubbed many the wrong way.