Good news: Amidst the Warriors’ resurgence, Draymond Green shares a positive outcome from his suspension

Amidst the Warriors’ resurgence, Draymond Green shares a positive outcome from his suspension

The Golden State Warriors topped the Utah Jazz 129-107 on Monday night to win their fifth consecutive game and moved back above .500 on the season.

Warriors forward Draymond Green nearly had a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. He also did his best Steph Curry impression with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from nearly halfcourt:

After the game, Green talked about the Warriors returning to their winning ways and how his suspension earlier in the season for hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face may have had a silver lining, per Warriors on NBCS:

Said the Warriors star, “Honestly, I think me getting suspended helped in a weird way. Because, number one, since I got suspended [Jonathan Kuminga] has taken off. And that has kind of set the stage for this team. Bona fide number two option on our team. And so, now you’ve got different things, you’re able to figure out different things you can go to, our offense doesn’t look the exact same like it used to look. We’ve got different things that we’re going to. You’re able to find different combinations that work. It’s just been kind of plug and play since then.”

The Warriors have been playing better since the suspension, but Green is also quick to point out that it still wasn’t good that he was suspended, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic:

Up next for the Warriors: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night before they play the Jazz on the road again Thursday.

RAED MORE:

Draymond Green On How His Suspension Helped Jonathan Kuminga Break Out

Draymond Green’s suspension inadvertently paved the way for Jonathan Kuminga’s breakout performance, transforming him into a key player for the Warriors.

Draymond Green’s suspension inadvertently catalyzed Jonathan Kuminga’s breakout performance for the Golden State Warriors. Speaking after the Warriors’ 129-107  win over the Utah Jazz, Green reflected on the positive ramifications of his suspension, acknowledging its role in unlocking Kuminga’s potential.

“Honestly, I think me getting suspended helped in a weird way because, number one, since I got JK’s taken off, and that has kind of set the stage for this team. Bonafide number two option on our team.”

“We got different things that we’re going to you’re able to find different combinations that worked and then you know it’s just been kind of plugging places, then you know figuring the pieces out so 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.”

Green candidly admitted that his suspension allowed Kuminga to assume a more prominent role within the team, establishing himself as a bona fide number two option on offense. This shift in dynamics prompted the Warriors to explore different offensive strategies and player combinations, diversifying their approach and enhancing their overall effectiveness.

Since Green’s ejection and subsequent suspension on December 12th, Kuminga’s performance has surged dramatically. Prior to Green’s absence, Kuminga’s statistical contributions were modest, with averages of 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, accompanied by shooting percentages of 41.3% from the field and 27.9% from beyond the arc.

However, in the aftermath of Green’s return to the lineup, Kuminga’s productivity has soared to new heights. With improved averages of 22.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, coupled with shooting efficiencies of 57.0% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range, Kuminga has emerged as a formidable offensive force for the Warriors.

This remarkable transformation underscores the profound impact of Green’s suspension on the team dynamics and player development. While Green’s absence initially posed challenges for the Warriors, it ultimately provided an invaluable opportunity for Kuminga to showcase his talent and flourish within the team’s system.

As the Warriors continue to build momentum and solidify their position in the standings, Green’s return has bolstered their defensive prowess and leadership on the court. With Kuminga’s emergence as a key contributor, the Warriors are poised to capitalize on their collective strengths and pursue success in the competitive landscape of the NBA.

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