In today’s Dub Hub:
- Steve Kerr calls Draymond Green the “best defender” he’s ever seen following the Warriors’ play-in victory over the Clippers.
- NBC Sports Bay Area outlines three keys for Warriors vs. Suns on Friday night.
- Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Pistons’ Cade Cunningham win their appeals to be NBA awards eligible, according to ESPN.
For their 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the Play-In Tournament, the Golden State Warriors leaned on their defensive anchor Draymond Green to set the tone, and he delivered one of his best performances of the season. While Steph Curry and company carried the offense, Green controlled the game on the other end — something head coach Steve Kerr has seen enough of throughout his career to make a bold proclamation.
“He’s the best defender I’ve ever seen in my life,” Kerr said. “It’s just insane what he does out there.”
Tasked with slowing down Kawhi Leonard, Green set the defensive tone early and never let up, denying the ball, forcing tough looks, and doing all the little things that don’t always show up in the box score. He held Leonard to 21 points — including just two in the fourth quarter — while forcing a pair of clutch steals in the game’s final possessions.
On a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green broke down one of those clutch steals, explaining how he read Leonard’s move before it happened and jumped the play — a glimpse into the anticipation and IQ that define his hall-of-fame defense.
Green may frustrate Warriors fans at times, but games like this are why Kerr’s words carry so much weight. So, coming from someone who has seen great defenders like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen up close, that praise means even more.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, April 17th:
Warriors News:
With Steph Curry and Draymond Green cooking, Warriors’ Play-In win had vintage vibes | The Athletic
And Green did it while battling illness. His congestion was severe enough to warrant a chest X-ray. Before the game, he needed a nebulizer to help him breathe. When he subbed out in the first quarter, Green had both hands on his head, too fatigued to hide it. Still, he stayed glued to Leonard and, when a screen forced a switch, Green peppered Leonard with aggressive blitzes and double-teams. Leonard spent most of the game on his back foot and looked downright passive in the fourth quarter.
It was Green’s force of will. His high basketball IQ. His toughness. His experience and mastery of his own skills. His insatiable appetite for proving his worth.
Three keys to Warriors defeating Suns in win-or-go-home NBA play-in game
In LA, the Warriors set a record of 19 threes in a play-in game. The Warriors had five players who made multiple threes, led by Steph Curry’s seven, and the Clippers only had two players make more than one three. Golden State should be able to use the 3-ball to its advantage this game, too.
From an accuracy standpoint, the Warriors didn’t light up the 3-point line this season against the Suns. They shot 36.2 percent, yet they also made 18 more threes than the Suns. The Warriors won the 3-point battle in all four games, and the one that was closest happened to be their one-point loss.
The Suns’ defense was as good as it gets guarding 3-point shooters this season. Not against the Warriors, though. Let’s see what happens with the playoffs looming.
Former Warrior Chris Paul posts after Golden State beat the Clippers
NBA News:
Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham awards eligible; Edwards denied | ESPN
One player did go the route of challenging the rule with an arbitrator: Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who played in 60 games this season. The arbitrator denied Edwards’ case, however, and he will not be eligible for end-of-season awards.
“Anthony and I appreciate the PA appealing his case,” Edwards’ business manager Justin Holland said in a statement to ESPN. “For me personally, I’m a bit confused at the clemency for Cade who missed time for something that happened on the court, and not Ant, who missed time for an infection, but ultimately you already know Ant isn’t trippin over it AT ALL.”
NBA reveals full first round playoff schedule
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Dillon Brooks wished for the Warriors. Tonight, his wish is granted
Dillon Brooks looked reporters dead in the eye Wednesday night, heard the question about who he wanted to face in the play-in, and answered with his deepest wish.
“Steph and Draymond. That’s it. And Steve Kerr.”
Man called his shot. Respect the confidence. I can’t blame him, the Golden State Warriors (specifically those three legends) have put Brooks through multiple displays of public basketball humiliation.
A post to end the week:
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
