The playoffs are all about making adjustments, and few people adjust better than Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
Kerr isn’t afraid to take risks and shake things up every now and then, as he proved by having Draymond Green come off the bench in the last two games vs. the Sacramento Kings.
Instead of complaining or putting his ego above the team, Green embraced the role and the results speak for themselves.
Green came through with 21 points, seven assists, and four steals on 8-for-10 shooting and 50% from three-point range in Game 5 against the Kings.
It was one of his most efficient games of the season despite not being a starter.
Draymond off the bench:
21 PTS
7 AST
4 STL
8-10 FG
1-2 3PBack-to-back wins as a 6th man. pic.twitter.com/i5q89h9pDS
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 27, 2023
We all know Green is an elite facilitator and defender, but he was more aggressive than usual off the bench, driving to the rim and knocking down open shots.
Green agreed to come off the bench after sitting out Game 3 with a one-game suspension.
The Warriors dominated that contest without him, as Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins joined Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevon Looney in the starting lineup.
In Game 5, Green still played 30+ minutes and closed the game out, so it’s not like he has a lesser role for the team despite coming off the bench.
Also, this adjustment might be temporary as the Warriors look to close this series out.
If Golden State advances, it will face off against either the Los Angeles Lakers or Memphis Grizzlies in the second round.
Green could be a major defensive factor against either of those teams, and there’s a chance the Warriors would need him to rejoin the starting lineup.
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