Why Draymond, Warriors will benefit from Olympic experience

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Draymond Green will be representing Team USA this summer at the Tokyo Olympics, and Steve Kerr, who also will be with the group on the coaching staff, explains why Draymond's experience will benefit him and the Warriors going into next season.

"I just think it's so great for him to be in this situation and it's so great for us with Tema USA but it's also great for the Warriors," Kerr told ABC 7 on Saturday night. "Because Draymond is getting great work in the middle of the summer keeping his rhythm, keeping his conditioning, he could not be in a better place mentally, he's so happy to be here, he's having so much fun, so I think this is really a great summer for Draymond and it bodes well for the Warriors next year." 

Team USA has been together practicing and preparing for the Tokyo Olympics since early July, and departs Monday for Japan with the Olympic opening ceremony coming up on Friday.

Green played 21.5 minutes per game over four exhibitions, averaging 6.3 points, grabbing 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.

Team USA got off to a rocky start, losing each of its first two exhibitions against Nigeria and Australia, before rallying to defeat Australia and Spain.

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Draymond did appear to tweak his elbow on a fall during the final exhibition against Spain on Sunday, but he was able to return to the game after a brief exit.

The first Olympic contest for Team USA will come on July 25, when the Americans take on France. 

It will be a quick turnaround with Warriors training camp likely getting underway sometime in September or early October, but at least the organization can be confident that Draymond will be in shape and has been working day in and day out with some of the best players in the world, preparing to help the Warriors make a championship push.

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