Draymond Green didn't get off to the best of starts offensively during Tuesday's season opener for the Golden State Warriors, scoring only two points during a 1-0f-6 shooting night while also being responsible for six of the team's 20 turnovers. Yet head coach Steve Kerr praised his defensive stalwart's effort despite a short preseason run and poor fitness heading into Tuesday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“He got tired, intermittently,” said Kerr. “What I loved about him was that he battled, he got 13 rebounds against a very good rebounding team and a key steal late to really seal the win and he brought it when he needed to bring it.”
Steve Kerr on the Warriors’ conditioning level pic.twitter.com/ir7B0fGIVY
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 17, 2018
While Green's scoring wasn't at his best, his usual combo platter of 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals were there to round out his effort as he gears back into playing shape.
The Michigan State product played 33 minutes despite only getting a couple of 20-minute stints in the preseason, clearly lacking the bounce in his step when finishing close to the basket.
The Warriors escaped with a win despite Green's short contributions at the offensive end as well as Klay Thompson's putrid 5-of-20 shooting performance, including 1-of-8 from deep.
Kerr and company will take the win and enjoy the next two days off before they take on the Utah Jazz on the road this Friday, followed by another showdown at the Pepsi Center against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday to finish out the week.
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