When the Warriors are healthy, it’s no secret that they’re one of the most-feared teams in the NBA.
After a hot start to the 2021-22 NBA season that saw Golden State jump out to an 18-2 record, a barrage of injuries to some of the team’s top stars slowed some of that momentum. Still, a next-man-up mentality has helped the Dubs stay afloat in the Western Conference with a 51-29 record and clinch home court advantage in the opening round of playoffs -- the first time the team will return to the postseason since 2019.
The playoff atmosphere certainly isn’t unfamiliar territory for the Warriors, who reached the NBA Finals in five straight seasons from 2015 to 2019 and won three championships during that span.
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But do teams still fear Golden State after a two-year playoff absence and lack of lineup continuity?
Draymond Green thinks so.
The Warriors’ big man stopped by Yahoo Sports’ “Good Word with Goodwill” recently, where host Vincent Goodwill asked if the team’s injuries and years removed from postseason excellence have caused other NBA teams to no longer fear Golden State.
“No, I definitely don’t think [the fear] is gone because I played the first, what 33, 34 games of the year -- maybe I missed a couple here and there -- but for the most part I played and I saw that fear,” Green said. “I saw it come right back when everybody was like, ‘Oh, they’re good again. Oh, we’ve got to deal with these guys again.’ I saw that fear, so I don’t necessarily think it’s gone. I think teams are able to get by that when you’re not healthy.”
Golden State Warriors
Health has been an issue for the Warriors this season.
As the team welcomed Klay Thompson back from injury in January after he spent two and a half years sidelined, Green came out of the lineup with a back injury. When Green was able to return, Steph Curry sprained a ligament in his left foot, and Andre Iguodala also went down for some time this season.
After their successful start, the Warriors have since gone on to compile a 32-27 record. While that record is respectable, Golden State knows it can be better at full strength -- which is exactly what the team is hoping for come playoffs.
“If you keep running up against a team that don’t have all their guys, of course you don’t have to fear anything,” Green told Goodwill. “But when we were rolling at the beginning of the season and on top of Klay coming back, then everyone was terrified.
“I don’t doubt we step on the court whole in playoffs, guys are going to be terrified. Don’t doubt that one bit.”
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And while the Warriors don’t fear any opponent when they are whole and healthy, Green said, they do have “appropriate fear,” a term coined by coach Steve Kerr.
“I don’t care who you’re playing against. If you don’t have appropriate fear, you’re going to lose the game,” Green said. “This is the NBA. Everybody has NBA talent, everybody has NBA coaches, everyone has NBA schemes and anyone can be beat.”
With just two games left in the regular season, it’s still unclear who the Warriors will face at Chase Center when the playoffs begin next weekend. Whoever it is, Green and Co. are more than ready, especially if the lineup is at full strength.