The Golden State Warriors are once again picked to win the NBA title. After winning back-to-back titles, the only team many see to be any competition to the Warriors are themselves. Many don't see them ever self-destructing, but an issue happened recently that could open the door to more dysfunction going on than what we are seeing.
It all happened when the Clippers and Warriors were going at it in the famed Staples Center. Clippers guard Lou Williams shot a jump shot that came up short and Draymond Green outraced his teammate, Kevin Durant, to the basketball.
In any normal situation, Draymond would pass the basketball to Kevin Durant, but in this circumstance, he pushed it up the court only to turn the ball over. The game would go into overtime and the Warriors would ultimately lose. More importantly than the loss, tempers ran hot on the sideline during regulation.
Kevin Durant, obviously not happy with Draymond's decision, voiced his frustration on the sideline. Green, never one to back down, went back at Durant, calling him a name that isn't exactly a term of endearment. Usually these spats happen between teammates and that's that, but it continued into the locker room — apparently as teammates questioned Green's decision.
Green would fire back, reportedly speaking on Durant's free agency (he signed a two-year deal this offseason that has an opt out after one year) and essentially questioning his commitment to the team. The antics of Green led the Warriors, and more specifically, Steve Kerr, to suspend Green without pay for the Warriors game against the Atlanta Hawks.
The tension is high in Warriorland it seems. With Durant more than likely hitting the market this offseason, and Green scheduled to be ready for free agency in two years, the question has to be asked. Who is more important to this team?
Durant is a special player and when he came to Golden State, he became even more unique. When he came to Golden State, he was considered the second-best player in the world, but there are some that consider him the best player in the world based off what he has done in the NBA Finals the last two seasons versus LeBron James.
With him joining Golden State, it allows him to go one-on-one more than he ever has in his career. He can attack the rim, hit the midrange jumper and can shoot it from deep. And with Golden State, he has had three of his most efficient years shooting the basketball (shot 53.7%, 51.6% and 53.1% from the field).
Along with his efficiency shooting the basketball, Durant is also a playmaker for the team. He currently is averaging a career-high in assists, dishing out 6.5 assists a game. With Durant on their team offensively, it gives them the best combination of shooters the NBA has ever seen in putting him with the Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry. And along with the offense, he is an extremely versatile defender that can guard a few positions, which is incredible considering his seven-foot frame.
Kevin Durant is important to the Warriors and is virtually unguardable when he's hitting his shots, but Draymond holds some importance too. Green has been there since the beginning with the Warriors run of championships and championship appearances. The biggest role he plays with the team offensively is as the orchestrator. Steph Curry isn't your typical point guard, Klay Thompson is a shooter and Kevin Durant wasn't the playmaker he is now before he got to Golden State, so Draymond fills the gap as the facilitator of the offense.
Over the years, he has brought the basketball up the court and hits Durant, Thompson and Curry with passes in perfect position to score. He may not be the one scoring all the points, but he does allow for that to happen for the team and he leads them in assists.
Along with leading them in assists, he also is the captain of the defense. He is versatile enough to guard different positions and he also makes sure everyone is in position on the defensive end. Along with the things he brings on the court, he also is the emotional barometer for the team along with the agitator of the team. You always need a guy to do the dirty work for a team and Draymond is that guy.
KD and Draymond both fit different roles for their team and each is needed in their own way. So if they are to have to decide, this would not be an easy decision. One thing is for sure, it seems like in the spat the Warriors sided with Kevin Durant over Green, so they may have made their long-term decision.
As far as the value of either, it all depends on what the Warriors see as their future. Do they want to keep the jack-of-all trades that makes his impact not solely based on stats or do you want the guy that can score and make the Warriors the most dangerous team offensively in the NBA?
As the year goes on and the offseason gets here, the decision isn't going anywhere and the Warriors have to make up their minds. It will be interesting to see which guy they decide to keep around. The offseason will definitely start the ball rolling on the Warriors' plans.
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