Draymond Green has been a Swiss Army knife for the Golden State Warriors through the years. Just like any good hardware equipment out there, one must know how to make the most out of a tool for it to be useful.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr certainly knew what to do with a talent like Green. The 55-year-old tactician saw what Green could do and transformed him from a 35th overall pick to one of the NBA’s best defensive gems and versatile big men.
Green’s former frontcourt partner Andrew Bogut recently shared on radio show 95.7 The Game that if it wasn’t for Kerr, Green would’ve been out of the NBA before he was even given the opportunity to shine (via NBC Sports).
“(Green) was almost out of the league. A lot of people don’t realize, (former Warriors coach) Mark Jackson tried to play him at the three more than the four and it wasn’t his natural position.”
Under Jackson, Green only started 13 games in two seasons, averaging just 4.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in under 18 minutes of play per outing. But Bogut said the former Michigan State standout immediately blossomed once Kerr took over.
“He struggled his rookie year to find what his role was in the NBA and within the team. Once he got that opportunity from Steve, it kind of all changed. He’s the first to tell you, he was almost on a plane to Europe with the way he was being played earlier in his career.”
Green would go on to start all of his succeeding games for the Warriors since. After Kerr stepped in, the controversial forward’s true potential was unlocked.
In the last six seasons, Draymond Green became a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Team member, a five-time All-Defensive Team member, a Defensive Player of the Year, and more importantly, a three-time NBA champion.
