Draymond Green Thought He Was Going To Be Out Of The League After 1 Season Because Of A Mark Jackson Decision

[The Athletic] - Those months weren’t easy times for Green, trying to figure out his best position in the league. He had played a versatile 3/4 role at Michigan State under Tom Izzo. To start Green’s NBA career, Jackson played him as a backup at the 3.

Green: Yeah, the 3 almost had me out of the league. Especially in our offense then, the 3 was just spotting up. When you get it, shoot. And I’m not a spot-up shooter. And then I was dealing will all type of knee tendinitis. So my shot was brutal. But I could defend. And that’s what kind of got me on the floor and that’s what kept me around.

But the 3 spot almost had me out of the league. The next year I played more 4, which I felt like obviously was my natural position. It was a lot better for me.

I know everyone is doing an oral history these days, but I really liked this one. There was an in depth look at how the Warriors were essentially built and grew. Now, there’s a lot to digest in the piece, but this one stuck out to me.

Draymond Green thought he was about to be out of the league because of the decision making by Mark Jackson. Jackson, the then coach of the Warriors, was playing Draymond at the three. Clearly this was before he became a key in the pace and space offense.

It makes sense. You can’t make Draymond a spot up shooter. That’s not his game. He attempted about 1 three per game his rookie year and shot 20%. The next year it was 2 per game and up to 33%. Then he started to become ‘Draymond.’

This is where I give credit to Steve Kerr. I know it’s easy to say he’s not a coach with these guys that he has. But you still have to put them into position to be who they are. That’s what Kerr has been great at.

I just can’t imagine the Warriors without Draymond. That makes them easy to hate because you either love or hate Draymond. No in between. So I’m happy he’s in the league. Give me that person to cheer against.