Statistics often reveal only part of the picture. While they’re effective at highlighting a player’s measurable impact on the game, the hidden elements behind the numbers often go unnoticed. Draymond Green is a prime example of a player whose value isn’t fully captured by traditional box scores. Although he’s faced criticism for his less impressive stats, the Warriors organization deeply values his role. Coach Steve Kerr views him as the team’s “leader,” and Stephen Curry likely sees him as a favorite teammate.
Green’s importance was clear in the Warriors’ big win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite a fourth-quarter push from OKC, Green kept the team composed and organized. He recorded 11 assists, the most of any player in the game, as the Warriors scored 127 points—OKC’s highest concession this season.
This achievement placed Green among elite company: he now ranks third for the most games with 10+ assists by a non-guard, alongside his friend LeBron James and Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. Though Green rarely boasts about his accomplishments, this milestone led him to reflect on his journey. “Sometimes I pinch myself… You have done great things young man from Saginaw,” he posted on Instagram.
However, Green doesn’t forget his critics. While acknowledging his accomplishment, he couldn’t resist a message for the doubters, writing, “Let me guess… I only got assists because someone had to make a shot,” adding a laughing emoji.
Drafted in the second round, Green wasn’t expected to reach NBA stardom. His success stems from dedication to the Warriors, where he has become crucial to Steve Kerr’s system.
In the Warriors’ dominant run, big names like Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson often took the spotlight. But Green’s name is frequently overlooked. How vital has he been to the team?
Take the 2016 NBA Finals, where the Warriors lost a 3-1 lead. Green’s suspension in Game 5 was seen by many as the turning point of the series, ultimately won by the Cavaliers. Last season, limited depth made Green’s struggles even more challenging for the team. In the 27 games he missed, the Warriors went 13-14. Even this season, despite the Warriors’ strong 8-2 start, his impact shows. When he’s on the court, their three-point shooting improves to nearly 41%—a stark difference from the 34.6% without him.
Whenever Green records 10+ assists, the Warriors are almost unbeatable. The team has a 99-21 record in games where he reaches this stat line, according to Statmuse. The Warriors have experienced challenges without him and thrived with him.
That’s the essence of Draymond Green’s contribution to the Warriors. This season, he’s committed to avoiding the behavior issues that he admits “hurt” the team last year.
