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OAKLAND – Draymond Green seemed upset. The Warrior attacker offered the same look he has when he looks at an official who made a call that did not please him. It's become similar to the look that Green has when he wants to intimidate a defender.
So what's greener was he so angry? Anyone other than a journalist asking if he believes it is important to win the NBA defensive player of the year trophy.
"I need that," Green said at the conclusion of the 131-121 win over the New Orleans pelicans on Wednesday at Oracle Arena. "I need that much."
What bad?
"Really bad," Green said. "I trained the second All-Defense team last year. I am still pissed off about it. I'll be upset until I'm right. So this is an important goal for me this year. I'm on it every night. "
Green was certainly in the game for the Warriors (8-1) in their victory over the Pelicans (4-3).
He scored almost a triple double with 16 points on 6 out of 10 shots, 14 rebounds and 8 badists. He played an important role at the center of the Pelicans, Anthony Davis, finishing with 17 points on just 6 shots out of 16. Green provided all the familiar intangibles that made him three-star NBA, former defensive player of the year (2016-17) and member of the first NBA defense team (2015-17).
"He was probably the best player on the field," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
These are words. After all, Warrior guard Stephen Curry scored 37 points with his usual efficiency on the field (12 of 20) and perimeter (7 of 11), scoring his sixth point on 30 points of the game. season. Kevin Durant added 24 points on a 10 of 17 clip with eight badists. Klay Thompson maintained his momentum with 18 points on 7 shots out of 17.
But the Warriors never judge the value of Green by the score of the box. They judge him on what he does on the ground.
"I know that other guys have had big points and all that. But it was not a very clean match for us, "said Kerr. "When the game gets a little dirty, it seems like when Draymond is at his best."
What helped Green play at his best during the regular season games in October?
"He has not changed his name and he's still Draymond Green, No. 23 of the Warriors," said Curry smiling. "You never fear that he finds a way to influence the game."
What helped Green to play his best after missing three pre-season games because of a left knee injury?
"It's Draymond Green. He's a star player, "Durant said with a smile. "I do not think the pre-season games have not done anything to him."
Here is the thing, though.
In the past, the Warriors were worried about Green finding a way to impact a game. He certainly lacked consistency last season. He admitted to feeling disengaged after competing in three consecutive NBA finals. He recognized conditions limiting him, including a pain in the right shoulder (seven games), flu (two), sprained left index finger (one) and a contusion of the pelvis). So, after the Warriors won the NBA 2018 title again, Green spent his summer resting his injured body and clearing his mind of everything related to basketball.
"I needed this leave," Green said. "Even more physically, I needed it mentally. So I took some free time and came back in my rhythm. "
Then the Warriors were worried about the absence of Green's preseason game with a painful left knee. Kerr reintegrated into training with a restriction of minutes. Kerr also monitored his level of fatigue.
"The pace I've created with the time I've used during the off season has somehow lost with these two weeks sitting," Green said. "The first games were difficult for me. It was frustrating. "
Green lost his rusty appearance in Game 2 of the Warriors. He then offered varying statistical performances, while maintaining its intensity. And then against New Orleans, Green has become the best version of himself.
"Draymond's approach and attitude all year round have been fantastic," Kerr said. "He's such an emotional player and person that he had moments in his career where he had great emotional fluctuations from game to game. He was very consistent with his efforts. He managed to get through some of the bad times when he might have crushed it a bit. It's really important for our team. In many ways, we are only worth Draymond. "
And in this case, the Warriors were really good against the pelicans.
Considering Green was "one of the best pbading players," Thompson played an important role in setting up the three-point program for Curry, Thompson and Durant. After Green forced the Pelicans to commit a timekeeping violation with 3:09 to go in the second quarter, he called the Warriors fans to rejoice more. After he had done a layup and shot a foul for a 70-63 lead while he only had 22.4 seconds left in the second quarter, Green let himself go to the crowd.
Green is outraged when officials attributed to the Pelicans forward, Julius Randle, two foul shots despite the attack against him. But after Randle cut both to reduce the Warriors' lead to 111-98 with 9:34 to go, Green spent the next three possessions to make a 14-foot jumper, finishing with a block and a rebound.
"You direct your energy toward different things," Green said. "It's a priority for me this year not to waste my energy talking to referees about calls. It will not change. So turn the page to the next room and try to do something else. I could do a little bit of that and keep the game in our favor. "
Durant thought Green had turned the game around for the Warriors much earlier than that.
"By the time he wakes up on a match day, he is displaying that energy and that effort," Durant said. "He does not need a room of this kind to make him leave. He's like this since the beginning of the game. When he has this energy and that he bounces as he does and that he moves the ball as he did tonight, it brings us to the next level. I think he's woken up this morning this way.
Green proved that Durant was right. He woke up every morning with the same feeling, remembering the anger he had felt after losing his defensive title last season. Next spring, Green wants to recover this prize.
"I'm upset," Green said. "Second team all defense? It's disrespectful. "
The cheat codes remained activated. Curry released his sixth game of 30 points. He scored at least five three-point goals in eight of the Warriors' nine games. He achieved career highs in points (33), in percentage of shooting (54.9%) and in shooting at 3 points (52.9). With these numbers, Curry is about to make an NBA record with 500 points to 3 points this season, which would break his production in 2015-16 (402).
Curry worried about continuing in this way? He shook his head.
"Just like the seasons when I'm in the top 30 and I'm asked this question about the 40% sequence, I'm never too high or too low," Curry said. "I will continue to shoot. Whatever it is in the end, I will take stock. This is the point of view of every night when I'm out, I'll take the shots that I feel able to do, have confidence in me and succeed shots. "
Curry has many reasons to feel confident. He's in curry, after all. But the Warriors have regularly noted his improved post-season routine. Kerr also credited Warrior consultant and Hall of Fame leader Steve Nash and sports medicine director Rick Celebrini. Assistant Warrior coach Bruce Fraser, who works closely with Curry, also pointed out to Kerr that Curry seemed more disciplined with his diet.
"He is at his peak in terms of knowing the leauge, knowing his opponents and understanding his body," Kerr said. "Steph took another step. That's why he shoots the ball so well. When you are stronger, your legs are there. You tend to shoot better. "
The warriors noticed, but they became insensitive to that.
"When someone is as good, you expect him to do it every day," Durant said. "You tend to take people for granted when they have been doing it for so long. I'm trying not to do that. But I do not want to stay there and marvel at him. "
The reels in relief looked so perfect. Jerebko scored 10 points on 3 shots out of 6. He threw a pbad in the back to prepare Durant for a transition dunk. Although Jerebko made a turnaround, he ran the other way to block E'Twaun Moore.
It is not a bad thing for the Warriors to sign a $ 2.1 million contract with Jerebko after Utah Jazz placed it on the waiver line.
"It's exactly what I envisioned," Curry said.
However, Jerebko did not show exactly what the Warriors envisioned.
He averaged 3.8 points on 31.8 percent shooting, 3.4 rebounds in just 14.8 minutes in five exhibition games. Jerebko was also scoreless in Warriors' first win against the Thunder.
"He hit a wall. He was running in the mud, "said Kerr. "It was more the physical cost of starting the training camp, traveling and playing games. His last week of camp was not so impressive.
Jerebko then became impressive in the Warriors' victory over Jazz, his former team. He managed a winning putback by limiting his efforts to 10 points on 4 out of 5 shots with six rebounds. In eight games, Jerebko averaged 7.2 points, pulling 51.2% of the field and 47.8% of the 3 points, with 4.3 rebounds in 16.4 minutes.
"The game that really catapulted him is that of Utah," Kerr said.
What has changed after that?
"I do not know if that changed things. I knew that I would continue to do the same thing even if this advice was not accepted, "said Jerebko. "But it gave us that energy. We needed this victory to have a good start to the season. Obviously, it was worth a lot for me to win this game. "
The fact that Jerebko played so well counted for the Warriors. He provided more reliable 3-point shots than the signatories of free agents Nick Young (37.7) and Omri Cbadpi (45.5) provided. Jerebko entered training camp in "the best form I've ever been in," which no one would have said last year about Young. And Jerebko ensured a defensive presence offered by David West and Zaza Pachulia last season. Kerr has since seen Jerebko become "a good fit."
"He is very, very good player and very smart," said Green. "He knows where to be and can shoot the ball. More importantly, he is a competitor and he loves to play basketball. "
Jerebko loved playing with the Warriors, both because of their talent and their open system that allows him to move and improvise.
"I'm ready to play," said Jerebko. "My teammates simplify my life. It's fun there. This makes basketball a lot easier. "
The third year center of the Warriors tried to stay calm. But then, the attacker of the Warriors, Andre Iguodala, revealed his frustration.
"They must stop calling you faults, man," Iguodala shouted into the locker room.
Jones nodded. He had six in three out of four shots in just 10 minutes because of three fouls. He scored only two minutes and 38 seconds in the first quarter before committing two fouls. He then sat outside and did not return until the second half.
"It was really a little crazy today," Jones said. "I will not talk about this subject."
This is because Jones does not want to be fined even though he has extra security after the Warriors have exercised their team option for next season, worth $ 2.3 million. of dollars.
"You still have a game to play," Jones said. "So you have to stay focused and do the things you have to do. Try to keep your hands in the air. "
Despite Jones' troubles, the Warriors are increasingly impressed by his presence at the station, his defense and his efforts.
In any case, we may have picked it up according to its potential. But it's obvious. He is a very good young talent, "said Kerr. "He got miles and miles better than he was a year ago. He will play an important role in our team. "
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Livingston missed Wednesday's game against New Orleans with a right foot injury that left them out of the previous two games.
Kerr said Livingston had an MRI and "everything was fine," he added, but the Warriors will be "very cautious" with Livingston and veteran forward Andre Iguodala following minor injuries.
"We want both guys to be fresh and ready to play in the playoffs," Kerr said. "We will be very careful throughout the regular season. If there is anything that bores you, we will keep them on the bench. "
The longer McCaw stays away, the more likely it is that he will never wear the uniform of the Warriors again. Does it surprise Kerr that McCaw has declined a bid of $ 5.2 million over two years, despite mixed progress in his first two seasons as a player?
"Nothing surprises me too much in the NBA," said Kerr. "You are only coaching anyone here and we have been fortunate enough to coach a great group. We would like to have Patrick here, but the ball is really on his side. "
The Warriors celebrated Halloween by paying tribute to Thompson, who set a record 14 points in Chicago on Monday. The Warriors spokesman wore the Thompson & # 39; s Warriors jersey, as well as his shoes and yellow bandeau he wore to cover a notch. Meanwhile, Thompson has arrived at Oracle Arena under the name Jackie Moon, the character of Will Ferrell in Semi-Pro.
"I found it," Thompson said. "Will have sent it to me."
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