Everyone that has followed the Golden State Warriors understands just how important Draymond Green is to the overall success of the team. Sure, Stephen Curry is going to win his second straight Most Valuable Player Award, but Green is the heartbeat — the lifeblood, if you will — of the team.
Almost nothing happens on the court, or on the bench, or in the locker room that doesn’t have to do with Green. He’s that vital of a component to their championship aspirations and overall goals this season. So, it might not shock you to find out that the Warriors are really, really good with him on the court late in close games. But how good might shock you.
This is from Dieter Kurtenbach of FOX Sports dot com:
Danny Leroux, who covers the Warriors, dug up this stat that sums it all up: When Green is in a game that’s within five points with five minutes or less to play, he’s undefeated this season at 23-0.
Our own Danny Leroux posted the stat on twitter earlier this morning. That stat is, for lack of better phrasing, quite absurd. Green is the only player in the league this season that has played 100 minutes in those situations and posted an undefeated record. In fact, in those 101 minutes, he’s a +90.
Green is the Swiss Army Knife who can carve and cut you to bits while you stand there looking on in amazement. While the “Death Lineup” has a lot to do with the overall success of the team late in close games, it’s Green who even makes that possible because of his ability to play the center position effectively.
There’s no telling where this team would be without Draymond right now, and hopefully they never have to find out. His importance to the team, and his success in his role, has led to the team achieving uncanny success. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.