Trust is earned, not given. The same goes for respect. These rules are true in any walk of life, and NBA players aren't immune from them.
Draymond Green learned that during the 2014-15 season, Steve Kerr's first year as Warriors head coach. Despite a decent first two seasons with Golden State, Green revealed in a conversation with Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard that Kerr didn't trust him early on in his tenure.
"At times, I personally felt like Steve Kerr didn't necessarily have the most confidence in me, the trust in me that I know my play warranted and I know I had proven," Green said on the first episode of his Bleacher Report show "Chips." "So there was a lot of times where I would hit a 3 and look over at him and be like, 'Yeah, I can shoot."
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It's safe to say Green earned Kerr's trust and now will always have it.
During Kerr's first season with the Warriors, Green averaged 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists while playing a key role in the Warriors' first NBA title under Kerr.
Green's play only improved from that point on as he notched three All-Star selections, two All-NBA selections and five All-Defense nods. He also was named the 2016-17 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
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Golden State Warriors
Green is the heartbeat of the Warriors and Kerr knows Green is the X-factor in getting Golden State back into NBA title contention.
A re-energized and motivated Green should take the floor next season as the Warriors look to rebound from their 15-50 gap year that saw them sink to the bottom of the NBA.
The chip on Green's shoulder hasn't shrunk since he was drafted 35th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. With many doubting the Warriors' ability to return to contender status, there's no doubt Green, with the full trust of Kerr, is chomping at the bit to silence his doubters once again.