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You all remember how the Warriors closed last regular season. It was pretty ugly.
Not only did Golden State lose 10 of its final 17 games, but the Warriors dropped three of their final four -- which included a 20-point loss at Indiana, a home defeat to New Orleans and 40-point shellacking at Utah.
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SIGN UP HERE Over those final four contests, Draymond Green averaged just 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists, while committing 4.5 turnovers per game.
On Monday, Sports Illustrated named the Warriors the 2018 Sportsperson of the Year. And within the article, Draymond reflected on a conversation he had with Steve Kerr in the days leading up to the start of the playoffs.
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"He said, 'You have the ability to take this team left or right, up or down. You can carry that weight, but right now you’re killing us. Your body language is not good, your energy is not good and you’re pouting every play when something doesn’t go right. And you’re dragging Kevin down with you.’
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"And I immediately noticed it. I said, ‘You’re right, and I’ll be better.’"
Better is an understatement. Against the Spurs in the first round, the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year averaged 11.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks (he did not shoot the ball well, however).
He took his game to another level in the second round vs New Orleans -- racking up 14.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.6 blocks. He shot 49 percent overall and 40 percent from deep.
“It’s great to have people—coaches, front office, teammates—that can remind you that your shi* stink, too,” Draymond told Sports Illustrated. “Sometimes we can see everyone else’s problems and bullshi* and completely overlook our own.”
Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller