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Former Michigan State Spartans Star Draymond Green Cashes In

By Bob Heyrman

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors argues with the referee in the second half against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors argues with the referee in the second half against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Despite losing arguably the best player in basketball, the Golden State Warriors will remain perennial NBA Title contenders until further notice.  The Warriors recently re-signed former Michigan State Spartans center Draymond Green.

Former Michigan State Spartans leader Draymond Green signed a four-year extension worth $100-million to remain with the Golden State Warriors.  Now the dynasty has both Klay Thompson & Green locked up through the 2024 season.

Green is the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors, similar to his days with the Michigan State Spartans. He’s often the forgotten man when you think of the Warriors, but his ‘in your face’ leadership style holds everyone accountable.  He isn’t afraid to mix it up with head coach Steve Kerr, or star-caliber players such as Durant, Curry or Thompson.  He’s a glue guy that undoubtedly could have received $150-million elsewhere.

Green is always a defensive player of the year candidate.  It’s the most impressive part of his game but doesn’t always show up on his state line. Last season he only recorded 7.4 points per game; the lowest over his previous five seasons.

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It shows his willingness to adapt to the roster around him.  The ball doesn’t find Green as much as it used and he doesn’t command it to be effective with all the high-end scoring threats spread out over the roster. He still averaged 7 boards, 7 assists and 1.1 blocks, 1.4 steals per game.  Expect next season to be near the same but the points per game rise to around 15, which would be a new career-high, one more point per game than he gained in 2015/16.

Superstar guard Steph Curry is locked up the 2022 season, he will be the next player to cash in with the Warriors.  While the fanbase is likely still a bit sick to their stomach after losing to the Toronto Raptors in the NBA finals and then losing Kevin Durant to free agency. The lengthy list of injuries aided the Raptors, but there isn’t a guarantee they wouldn’t have been able to win behind a crazy hot streak from Fred VanVleet and Khawi Leonard.

Klay Thomson is expected to miss at least two-thirds of the upcoming season with an ACL injury that required off-season surgery. The Warriors are not likely to remain in the top half of the Western Conference due to losing Durant and Thompson, but I wouldn’t expect them to fall too far off if they can remain around the seventh or eighth seed and then get Thompson back before the playoffs. They will be a team the Lakers/Rockets/Clippers may not want to face in the first round of the playoffs.

Don’t underestimate the greatness of Curry and his ability to carry the offense along with D’Angelo Russell.  Russell is coming off a career year in his fourth full season in the NBA.  He recorded 21.1 points per game over the 81 games he appeared in.

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Russell notched 7.1 assists per game as well which is also a career-high. If he can emulate those numbers with Golden State while Thompson is sidelined; he, Green and Curry provide enough firepower to weather the storm until March. The Warriors won’t go away quietly, while we are all talking about everyone else in the West, the Warriors lay in the weeds waiting to strike once again.

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