The Golden State Warriors gave their fans quite the roller coaster Sunday afternoon today. Taking on the Sacramento Kings for Game 4 of the first-round series, the Warriors got Draymond Green back after a one-game suspension. Many expected to see him back in the starting lineup. However, Steve Kerr gave us no hints till before the tip-off.
Advertisement
Steve Kerr wouldn’t reveal his rotation today, but did say Game 3 gave him “more things to consider” in Game 4. Moody/Kuminga played well, GP2/Draymond returning. It’s crowded. pic.twitter.com/Y3tDXfhn6Z
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 23, 2023
Kerr went with the same starting lineup that he’d gone to in Game 3. Jordan Poole started in Draymond’s place. That helped the Dubs get the offensive punch they needed, and ultimately secure a 126-125 win to tie the series.
After the game, we learned that it was Green’s suggestion to come off the bench. Klay Thompson discussed the same in his post-game interview.
Klay Thompson discusses Draymond Green coming off the bench
Steve Kerr has been the Warriors’ coach for nine seasons. During that time, Draymond Green started in 132 consecutive playoff games. However, Green had his streak snapped today. Turns out, it was Green who suggested the same to Steve Kerr.
Kerr shared that Green drove to Chase Center after Game 3 ended to ask him the same.
Steve Kerr says Draymond Green drove to Chase Center & asked after game 3 if he could come off the bench for today’s game. Draymond says he didn’t want to interrupt the chemistry the team had in game 3 – if it’s not broke don’t fix it. Honestly, that’s leadership. #dubnation
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) April 23, 2023
Draymond Green talked about the same after the game. He said,
“If something isn’t broke don’t fix it. I didn’t want to come back and shake things up. Our offense and defense was rolling. I wanted to do what was best for our team, and it was good for us.”
Draymond on why he suggested coming off the bench 💯 pic.twitter.com/M8sh0ygODy
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 23, 2023
When Klay Thompson got to the mic, he had nothing but praise for Green. Klay said,
“He’s a selfless player. Draymond’s a winner, and he realized last game we got great flow offensively with the four-guard lineup… A big time adjustment by the coaching staff and complete unselfishness by Draymond allows us to reach our goal. That’s why he’s the champion he is.”
“That’s why he’s the champion he is.” 🏆
Klay on Draymond suggesting to come off the bench pic.twitter.com/4reA9kFKUr
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 23, 2023
Will the Warriors keep the same lineup for Game 5?
If we know Steve Kerr by now, he likes to keep things interesting. While Draymond has the ‘if ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality, but Kerr would want to beat Mike Brown in chess. Knowing that the Kings might find a way to counter the four-guard lineup, Kerr might insert Draymond back in the starting lineup.
However, he might as well surprise us all and keep the lineup as it is, to give the team a strong start and then resort back to his old rotations.
