Draymond Green reflected on his suspension and acknowledged its unexpected positive impact on the Golden State Warriors. The four-time NBA champion suggested that his absence allowed other players, notably Jonathan Kuminga, to step into larger roles and thrive.
“Honestly, I think me getting suspended helped in a weird way,” Green said after a road win against the Utah Jazz. “Because, number one, since I got suspended JK has taken off.”
In Green’s view, his suspension provided an opportunity for Kuminga to flourish, establishing himself as a bona fide number two option for the team. This shift in dynamics has allowed the Warriors to diversify their offensive strategies and explore different combinations on the court.
“And that has kind of set the stage for this team. Bona fide number two option on our team.”
Green emphasized the silver lining of his suspension, noting how it prompted the team to adapt and discover alternative approaches to their gameplay.
“It’s just been kind of plug and play since then, figuring the pieces out. Not that I wanted to get suspended or that was good or anything like that, but I do think it kind of helped us find different things that we can go to and explore.”
While the suspension was not ideal, Green believes it forced the Warriors to evolve and uncover new avenues for success.
“And now you add me back into the fray, you add [Gary Payton II] back from his injury, [Chris Paul] will be coming back and now you got those pieces coming back that you can rely on.”
Green’s return to the lineup, along with the impending comebacks of players like Gary Payton II and Chris Paul, signifies a reinforcement of the Warriors’ roster.
However, Green highlights the collective effort of the entire team, acknowledging the contributions of players like Lester Quinones and Gui Santos, who have stepped up in his absence.
“But it’s not just us. It’s everybody who’s stepping, Lester [Quinones], Gui [Santos], everybody who’s going out there is playing good basketball. So I think that’s good for us.”
