Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Coach Steve Kerr should make an adjustment after Draymond Green quit on the Warriors in Monday’s win over the Magic

Coach Steve Kerr erroneously said the team needed Draymond Green after he quit on them in the win over the Orlando Magic. A tense chat between them started it, and while the once-upon-a-time two-way star was out of the picture, the team outscored their visitors 54-26 the rest of the way. 

Green said at the post-game press conference that his exchange with Kerr was getting too hot, so he thought it best to “remove” himself. While that strategy is sound for a multitude of situations, it is not when you are in the trenches with the team. He didn’t think it could get better, but it would have if he just sat there, swallowing his pride.

Also, when he was asked how frustrated he was with his play- a watered-down eight points, six rebounds, and five assists for the season- he cited his one turnover on Monday as evidence for playing well.

Consider how they were prosperous against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, with him only playing eight minutes due to an ejection. It would only be natural for the background players in line to hope he keeps surrendering minutes, so they get the opportunity for a larger payday. 

Maybe someone could get away with that behavior if they were a star, but not a role player—much less, one who is age 35 and past his prime. Don’t forget it was Green who said in November that it didn’t feel like everyone was committed to winning, and it was him who showed a commitment to himself on Monday. 

After all the years of catching back talk and defending him for actions that hurt the team, it’s a wonder how Kerr hasn’t gotten sick of him to the point of telling an executive to trade him. Green and Stephen Curry are tight, so it would have affected the latter somehow, but he would probably get over it if they got a player back who was more of a threat.

Kerr is the one who is largely responsible for how Green has been enabled to stink up the joint and act like a savant because he’s been so soft on accountability. This time, he should have Green come off the bench for his impudence. It would give Jimmy Butler added chances to make plays in the starting unit, and he puts exponentially more pressure on a defense. 

Green’s list of priors is too extensive to highlight every detail, but he became more trouble than he was worth, one could argue, six years ago, starting with his alienation of Kevin Durant by calling him a “bitch” publicly. His worst offense was in 2022, when he heartlessly cold-cocked Jordan Poole, ruining the harmonious environment of the defending champions. 

For years he has been their “emotional leader,” but the messaging counts for less when one can’t be counted on. He might never accept he isn’t what he used to be, but Kerr has to.