After six games, it looked like the Golden State Warriors were all the way back. The team opened the season 5-1 and the combination of Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry had the team humming.
But that momentum quickly hit a wall. The team has gone 2-5 over its last seven games and has lost six straight on the road. Following yet another road loss Tuesday, Warriors center Draymond Green called out his teammates, saying he’s not sure they have the desire to win, per ESPN.
“I think everybody was committed to winning [back then] and doing that any way possible,” Green said. “Right now, it doesn’t feel that way.”
Green expanded on his those thoughts, implying some members of the team were prioritizing their “personal agendas” over working together as a team.
“I think everyone has a personal agenda in this league,” Green said. “But you have to make those personal agendas work within the team confines. If it doesn’t work, you kind of got to get rid of your agenda or eventually the agenda is the cause of someone getting rid of you.”
The 35-year-old didn’t name names, eventually saying “everyone” needs to be held accountable for the team’s recent slump.
Advertisement
Butler echoed that sentiment, saying, “Everybody has to be honest with themselves. Everybody has to be honest with everyone else.”
Green’s comments came after the Warriors were defeated 126-102 by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. Curry — who returned after missing the past three games due to an illness — wasn’t his usual self, going 4-for-13 from the field and finishing with 11 points.
After the game, Curry said he was guilty of allowing his personal agenda to get in the way during the contest, according to ESPN.
“I kind of fell into [the agenda thing] a little bit myself,” Curry said. “Trying to get myself going.”
Green didn’t have a great statistical night against the Thunder. The veteran went 1-for-4 from the field, finishing with three points. He added two rebounds and four assists in the loss.
Advertisement
Green’s numbers are down across most statistical categories this season. He’s averaging just 7.9 points per game, his lowest total since the 2021-22 NBA season. Green’s field-goal percentage is actually up compared to last season, but he’s taking 1.4 fewer shots per game this year. That could be evidence Green is willing to play unselfish ball to try to support the rest of the team.
Given that, Green may have been best suited to call out the rest of the team following Tuesday’s loss. Putting up big point totals has never been his goal. Throughout his career, he’s been content to facilitate the offense and do what’s necessary to support the team.
Advertisement
It hasn’t always been perfect — Green does have a history of putting the team in tough spots due to his temper — but his passion is never in question.
Discover more from 6up.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.