The Golden State Warriors are looking to make a deep playoff run this season, but they might not have gotten off the ground without Draymond Green. In his first game back from injury, he gave them an extra boost and helped Stephen Curry score 47 points in their 116-108 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. “He’s just amazing,” Kevin Durant said of Green after Tuesday night’s contest.
The “who does steph curry play for” is a question that has been asked many times in the past. The answer to this question is Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors.
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ESPN’s Kendra Andrews
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The moment Draymond Green checked in during the Golden State Warriors’ 126-112 victory against the Washington Wizards on Monday night may have been the nicest birthday gift Stephen Curry could have gotten.
It had been 212 months since the two had played together, and 1,005 days since Klay Thompson had joined them in a trio.
Curry planned a play that needed Green to be the floor general, carrying the ball up the court and directing traffic, seconds after Green entered the game at the 4:47 mark of the first quarter. Curry’s wing 3-pointer brought the action to a close.
Green told ESPN, “He put me straight into the fire.” “I checked in, and he called a play in which I was in possession of the ball.” And I was grateful for it since it helped me to quickly relax.
“That is something I will never forget. I may forget a lot of things, but there’s one thing I’ll never forget: how to deliver the ball to him.”
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Curry concluded the game with 47 points on 16-of-25 shooting, including seven 3-pointers, all of which he hit when Green was on the field. Curry scored 41 points on 13-of-16 shooting while playing with Green.
When asked whether there was a link between Curry’s performance and Green’s comeback, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, “100%.”
“As soon as Draymond came out there, everything changed for Steph,” Kerr concluded. “With Draymond out there, the chessboard shifts. Everything looks and feels a little different with Steph.”
Over the last ten years, Green and Curry’s two-man game has become well-known. Curry’s ability to score from everywhere, along with Green’s court vision and passing talents, makes for an unstoppable combination, according to Thompson.
“When I’m not out there and I’m watching,” Green said of Curry, “I see things that can be done to help him out.” “We’ve never seen a better shot than him. However, you must still screen and locate him in excellent locations, ensuring that he receives good shots and easy looks rather than challenging looks all of the time.”
Because Green was limited to 20 minutes each game, he and Curry only shared the floor for 15 minutes against the Wizards. However, they made the most of their brief time together, putting up a 169.7 offensive efficiency while playing together.
Golden State shot 69 percent from the field in those minutes, including 9-of-15 from three, and had a plus-23 point difference. The Warriors were outscored by six points while Curry was not on the field.
“As soon as Draymond came out there, everything changed for Steph,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “With Draymond out there, the chessboard shifts. Everything looks and feels a little different with Steph.” USA TODAY Sports/Kelley L Cox
Curry said, “It’s just chemistry and knowing how to generate nice looks, particularly whether I’m coming off the ball or if he’s in the pick-and-roll.” “It shouldn’t be shocking after ten years of that.”
Green weighed in with his thoughts.
“‘Oh, there is no Draymond without Steph,’ everyone says. That is absolutely correct “Green said. “Without Klay and Draymond, there is no Steph. And we’re well aware of it. And it’s why the previous ten years have been such a great brotherhood and cooperation.”
Green’s individual stat line didn’t stick out, as he ended with 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in 20 minutes, which was typical of him. He did, however, end with a plus-24 net rating, which was the most on the squad.
Curry referred to it as a “clinic” in terms of how to have an influence on the game without having to take all of the shots.
“Whether he’s the one playmaking or laying screens, he’s fantastic at reading plays,” Curry said of Green. “He understands the importance of self-sacrifice. He’s been doing it for a long time, assisting Klay and myself in getting open.”
Thompson concurred.
Green “gets us open shots,” he remarked. “It gets us into the offense’s flow. All it does is get us moving.”
Green has always been like this. He’s frequently gone unnoticed in terms of his contribution to the team, at least to the casual observer. However, the previous two months have shown the magnitude of Green’s influence when he isn’t there.
And his performance against the Wizards demonstrated what he can provide to the club when he’s available.
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