Draymond Green has missed the Warriors’ last seven games due to a calf injury, but he’s still making a difference for Golden State. Forward Gui Santos shared how much Green’s advice has helped the Warriors’ younger players, especially when it comes to defense.
“He’s a guy who likes to talk a lot with the young guys, and I’m one of the young guys. So, he always talks to us, gives tips on defense, low-post,” Santos told reporters after Saturday’s practice. “In FIBA, they teach us to guard the center just with the chest, hands up, hands here. He said, ‘No, in the NBA, it’s different. You gotta use this part right here.’ So, that’s one of the tips he gave us to the young guys.”
Green is known for his passionate personality, but Santos made it clear that the veteran doesn’t just scold younger players for mistakes. Instead, he uses those moments as learning opportunities.
“Not mad, sometimes it happens during a game because [you don’t] help or you should do something, but that’s normal,” Santos said. “Everybody can make a mistake. He always finds a way to say something with us in a good way. Like he never comes and just screams and talks crazy with us. He just finds a way to talk the right way with us.”
Draymond Green reacts after making a 3-pointerSantos went on to explain how Green’s energy affects the team, emphasizing how the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year impacts games in ways that don’t always show up in the box score.
“For me, he’s the definition of energy. Especially because he’s the guy that doesn’t need to make 20 points to impact a game,” Santos explained. “You can see games where he scores four points, but he’s the most impactful guy in the game. So that for me is the definition of energy.
Especially how he connects the game, how he finds passes, and how he plays defense strong and is always playing hard.”
“I think that’s one thing that’s natural for him. Since the first day you can see him talking to everybody. When he shoots the ball, he’s always saying like, ‘Booooom!’ So you see he’s the guy who brings energy no matter what.”
Santos’ press conference wrapped up with a question about who talks more between Green and teammate Gary Payton II.
“I think Draymond talks more,” Santos said with a smile. “Definitely Draymond.”
