Someone mention rivalry? And stakes?
Naturally, Draymond Green was primed to put on a show in the Warriors-Kings game Tuesday night, just in the nick of time.
A berth in the knockout round of the unexpectedly entertaining NBA in-season tournament was on the line, coinciding perfectly with Green’s return from his five-game suspension.
Lamentable Rudy Gobert.
Actually, lamentable Sacramento Kings — at least for about 36 minutes. Green, on the other hand, experienced the full spectrum. A technical foul. Maybe a flop. Some physicality and a couple of 3-pointers that he appeared to relish, playing in that arena.
It almost seemed like magic, curing all the woes of the proud competitors. His impact was palpable, clocking in with eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 33 minutes.
However, the crowd at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento witnessed the Kings surpass a major obstacle, having lost 11 of the last 12 regular-season games leading up to Tuesday night and still reeling from a Game 7 defeat just a few months prior.
Green’s comeback seemed to suggest that the Warriors’ fortunes would be heading in the right direction, needing to win by 12 to advance to the knockout round of the tournament.
Perhaps that played a role in the Warriors’ dominance in the first half, exuding a vintage vibe with Green disrupting everything in all the right ways, building a 24-point lead. But what worked for them in the first half, worked against them in the subsequent period as the Kings made a remarkable comeback, snatching the final spot in the knockout round.
Just as no lead was ever secure when facing the vintage Warriors, today’s Warriors are dealing with the same uncertainty. Stephen Curry, of course, plays with abandon and creativity — woven into the fabric of the Steph package.
Green’s presence elevates the Warriors’ intensity, ball movement, and naturally, their defense. When he defends Domantas Sabonis, there’s an impenetrable forcefield around the paint.
Vultron takes shape with him, Curry, and Klay Thompson. They aren’t invincible — they fell to the Lakers in six games last May — but they’re formidable, capable of running you out of any building in an instant.
This doesn’t faze De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, who shoot without hesitation and fly without fear — reminiscent of their antagonists in a past life.
Hence, Green’s resistance takes center stage in the game and interview room before he does. His voice and aura precede his actual arrival — and naturally, the referees had to contend with him during a stretch in the fourth quarter that saw Green (allegedly) caught an elbow from Trey Lyles, followed by an unnecessary foul on Monk and culminating in a technical foul for his continued protests beginning two possessions prior.
In the grand scheme of things, perhaps the Kings will find solace in this victory, signaling a potential shift in the Western Conference, even if it’s minor. Even with Chris Paul and Gary Payton II sidelined, Green’s disruptive presence validated the experience for the Kings.
The game’s intensity, amplified by the stakes, was fueled by a crowd that not only seeks revenge but also respect from the likes of Green — who is unlikely to give them what they desire.
According to TNT, Green apologized to his teammates for crossing the line in the Minnesota incident, but stopped short of genuine remorse. It’s what sets him apart and makes him combustible at the same time, because the Warriors can’t achieve anything significant without him.
Yet, with the Warriors aging and the conference rapidly catching up and even surpassing them, it’s unclear if the Warriors can win with him.
One thing is certain: they’re infinitely more captivating to watch when he’s on the court rather than sidelined, serving out penalties.
