Warriors’ Green works way into All-Star Game
TORONTO — Draymond Green arrived at the Sheraton Hotel here Thursday and told his representative that he was willing to fill all requests along the NBA All-Star Game’s media-row “car wash.”
In a whirlwind 3½ years, Green has evolved from a doubted and overlooked second-round pick to a no-doubt All-Star who is one of the most vital pieces of a historically great Warriors team.
“I don’t think there is anybody in the league who can defend as many positions as well as he defends different positions,” said ESPN analyst P.J. Carlesimo, who coached 13 seasons in the NBA, including head gigs with Portland, Golden State, Seattle/Oklahoma City and Brooklyn.
On top of that, he’s become such a knockdown, three-point shooter and a great decision-maker in the pick-and-rolls and in transition.
According to most scouts, Green had a long way to go — even after a four-year career at Michigan State that ended with Big Ten and NABC National Player of the Year honors.
Green finished his college career as the Spartans’ all-time leader in rebounds (1,096) and was second in blocked shots (117) and steals (180).
[...] his 6-foot-7, 230-pound frame created a plethora of questions about his transition to the professional game before the 2012 NBA draft.
NBADraft.net wrote: One of those great college basketball players that doesn’t excel in any one particular area. ...
When the Warriors used the third of their four 2012 picks to select Green after he had been passed 34 times, then-head coach Mark Jackson started receiving call after call offering commendation.
The folks on the other ends of those phones weren’t NBA scouts or decision-makers, but pastors and deacons.
Last season, he jumped to 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists, and this season, he’s putting himself among elite company.
Green has averaged 14.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists, while racking up a league-leading 10 triple-doubles.
During the Warriors’ shootaround to prepare for their Jan. 25 showdown with San Antonio, the team was sitting around and discussing potential matchups with All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
Green worked on his ball-handling all summer, believing that if it became second nature, his innate court vision would stand out.
Knowing what everyone should be doing helps him hold teammates accountable for their responsibilities, like a coach on the floor, according to Warriors backup big man Marreese Speights.
“The guy really is a coach’s dream,” former Warriors assistant coach Alvin Gentry said.