In order for the Warriors to be a legitimate title contender next season, Draymond Green needs to be ...
Kenny Smith from TNT's "Inside the NBA" was a guest Wednesday on 95.7 The Game, and was asked for his thoughts on the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year's status going into the 2020-21 campaign.
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Smith really didn't the answer the question directly, but gave Draymond a positive endorsement.
"There are certain guys you could throw in a pickup game, and they're gonna look great. And there are certain guys -- when they're added to that pickup game -- those guys win. Draymond is that guy," Smith explained. "He might not look good in a pickup game, but you throw him on a team that's almost winning -- they win.
"He's that ingredient. I love Draymond Green."
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Golden State Warriors
The three-time NBA champion -- who is about to start the four-year, $99.7 million contract extension he signed last summer -- last was an All-Star in 2018.
"I got that itch again. I got to three straight (All-Star games), and I'm like, 'Yeah, all right. I knew I could do it.' I kind of lost that itch," Draymond explained on the "All the Smoke" podcast in April. "I got that itch again. I want to get back there."
[RELATED: Draymond sends message to haters, puts pressure on self]
And more importantly, he wants to get his hands on a fourth Larry O'Brien Trophy:
If you don't believe Draymond has the ability to return to form, just remember that he averaged 16.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 2.8 blocks and 2.3 steals during the 2019 Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers.
That wasn't long ago, and he should be very well rested when he takes the floor again.