“Stephen Curry Took the Next Step in 2021!”: Draymond Green Talks About ‘Masterful’ Warriors’ Leader

Raahib Singh | 23/04/2023
“Stephen Curry Took the Next Step in 2021!”: Draymond Green Talks About ‘Masterful’ Warriors’ Leader

The Golden State Warriors took home a big Game 3 win on Thursday. Stephen Curry and co. were playing without two of their key defensive pieces Draymond Green and Gary Payton II. However, he did not let that slow him or the team down.

The 2022 Finals MVP took over and scored 36 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished three assists, got two steals, and blocked a shot. He had a game-high +24 as the Dubs won their first game of the series 114-97.

After the Game 3 win, Draymond Green took to his podcast. There he talked about his suspension, and at the same time, discussed Steph’s ‘masterful’ performance.

After the practice today, Draymond was asked to expand on the same comment.

Draymond Green talks about when Stephen Curry escalated to the next level

Stephen Curry is a master at work and has a way of taking over the game at will. However, according to teammate Draymond Green, it wasn’t always like this. While talking to the media after the practice, Draymond explained how it was in 2021 when Steph took it to the next level.

“In 2021, he took that next step of just picking and choosing his spots, knowing when to dominate, knowing when I need to dominate off the ball, when I need to dominate on the ball. It’s just figuring out different things.”

2021 was the year when the Warriors got knocked out by the Lakers in the Play-In Tournament. Before that happened, Steph strung together a magical April and May run to give the Dubs a chance to get to the Play-In. During that stretch, he averaged 37.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.

While Green couldn’t pin point the first time he saw Steph be ‘masterful’, he sure could recite when was a moment he knew for sure.

“I know in those Finals last year, it was that. It was what we saw the other night. It was, I won’t get sped up, this is what I want to get, no matter what’s going on on the floor I want to make sure I get to that.”

“Was special to watch, because he dominated the game in every facet, and there was just total control. You can just tell his intent on everything. It was very loud. It was loud and clear that ‘OK, I’m not giving that, this is what I want to get to and there’s really nothing no one can do about that.'”

Donte DiVincenzo talks about the first time he witnessed Steph being a ‘master at work’

Donte DiVincenzo was a huge addition to the Warriors’ roster over the offseason. Losing GP2, Otto Porter Jr, and Nemanja Bjelica, the Warriors needed a strong presence for the youngsters off the bench. DDV has not just provided the same but has done a lot more for the defending champions. 

Talking about Steph, Donte said that he noticed the 2x MVP being masterful right from the training camp.

With Draymond back for Game 4, will Steph continue to dominate or will he rely a bit more on his teammate? I guess we’ll have to wait till tomorrow afternoon to find out.
Post Edited By: Raahib Singh

About the author

Raahib Singh

Raahib Singh

Raahib Singh is an NBA Journalist and Content Strategist at The SportsRush. A Computer Science Engineer by qualification, Raahib's passion for sports drew him towards TSR. He started playing basketball at 14 and has been following the NBA since 2013. His entry into the basketball world perfectly coincided with Stephen Curry putting the league on notice. Having followed the league for a long time, he decided to use his knowledge to become a sportswriter with The SportsRush in 2020. Raahib loves to put up some shots in his spare time, watch Cricket, Formula 1, and/or read a nice thriller.