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PLAYA VISTA — The Draymond Green who termed the Warriors’ play-in fate as “not that exciting” isn’t the same player who’s showed up in the team’s film sessions the past two days.
“That was last week,” coach Steve Kerr smiled. “Draymond’s very excited.”
Draymond Green said the Warriors’ play-in fate was “not that exciting” last week. Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Preparing for a win-or-go-home play-in game Wednesday against the Clippers, the nine-time all-defense honoree has taken a hands-on role. He has always had a sharp basketball mind and has never shied away from speaking up, publicly or in practice.
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“I probably talk a little too much,” Green chuckled.
The Warriors will need Green to be locked in to have any hope of slowing down Kawhi Leonard. He bodied the Clippers’ star the last time the two shared the court in March and, looking ahead to the assignment in Wednesday’s win-or-go-home play-in game, paid a high compliment.
“This Kawhi we’re watching now,” Green said, ”… he looks like the Kawhi we played in the NBA finals seven years ago.”
That version of Leonard averaged 28.5 points and 9.8 rebounds while leading the Raptors to a shocking upset of Golden State, which lost Kevin Durant in the process. This version set a career-high in scoring, with 27.9 points per game, while taking 3s at his highest rate ever.
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Most importantly, Leonard was healthy enough to play 65 games for only the fifth time in 14 NBA seasons. Both players should be well-rested Wednesday after they sat out Sunday’s meaningless regular-season finale.
“I always tell guys, Kawhi’s a great player. If he can shoot 50% from the field and I can make him miss one more shot, I did my job,” Green said. “I think that’s ultimately what you have to understand when you’re playing against superstars. … Ultimately as the defender, I just need to try to make it a little bit tougher. Make that shot a little bit tougher.”
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard looks to pass the ball while being defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green. AP
While Green said…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/warriors-draymond-green-locked-play-001603726.html
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Publish date : 2026-04-15 00:16:00
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