While Kevin Durant has been on another level during these NBA playoffs, it's another Warrior who has played a pivotal role in helping Golden State take a 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals.
Draymond Green has been incredible through two games against the Rockets.
A subpar regular season had many calling Green washed and wondering if the Warriors would eventually cut bait with the three-time NBA All-Star.
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But Green lost weight prior to the playoffs and has been tormenting the Rockets so far on both sides of the ball. He's disrupted James Harden and Clint Capela's lob game with his savvy defensive play, and has been finishing around the rim and causing issues for the Rockets with his aggression on offense.
When the Rockets sag off him at the 3-point line, Green gets into the teeth of the defense to create a good look for one of the Warriors' other offensive weapons. Houston has had no answer.
While some might have counted out Green earlier this season, Warriors owner Joe Lacob did not, and he told The Athletic's Marcus Thompson that he wants Green to spend his career in the Bay.
“He’s Draymond Green,” Lacob said. “I wasn’t worried. I want Draymond Green to be here forever. He’s as Warrior as they come.”
Golden State Warriors
Indeed. In two games against the Rockets, Green is averaging 14.5 points on 68.4 percent shooting. He's scored in double figures in six of the Dubs' eight playoff games.
But Lacob will have to open his checkbook to make that statement come true. Green is a free agent after the 2020 season and could demand a max contract over four or five years. Draymond will be 30 years old when he reaches free agency on July 1, 2020, and despite his playoff prowess, there have been signs of decline -- at least in the regular season -- in Green's game.
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But first things first.
With Durant playing at an unheard of level, and Green back to being the do-it-all forward that makes the two-time defending NBA champions go, the Warriors appear to be on an unstoppable march to a third straight championship.