Draymond Green’s best 5 seasons
Table of Contents
Ah, Draymond Green. The Swiss army knife of the Golden State Warriors. The glue guy. The guy you love to have on your team but hate when he’s up against yours. The guy who has literally kicked opponents (and their family jewels) but has also kicked his team into gear when they needed it the most. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane, weaving through the rich tapestry of Green’s most illustrious seasons, ranking them from ‘Peak Draymond’ to ‘Still Pretty Awesome Draymond.’
1. 2015-2016 - The Heartbeat of the 73-9 Machine
Ah, the season of the infamous 73-9 record. The same year that birthed the “Warriors blew a 3-1 lead” meme, but let’s not dwell on that for now. Instead, consider this: Green's statistical blossoming. Averaging 14.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, this season felt like Draymond broke into the gym after hours, copied elements of Magic and Barkley's game, and merged them into his own. Remember when LeBron made "The Block"? Well, this was the season Draymond was almost the reason LeBron didn’t even get the chance.
His assists rose dramatically, indicating a shift from merely a defensive genius to a playmaking maestro. It’s like watching a support actor, who's been typecast for years, suddenly landing a leading role and absolutely killing it. On top of this, he was shooting a career-high 38.8% from three. Steph Curry was the engine, Klay Thompson the sleek exterior, but Green? He was the high-octane fuel powering that 73-win beast.
2. 2018-2019 - The Redemption Tour
After the heartbreak of 2016 and the Kevin Durant-centric championships that followed, 2018-2019 was Draymond’s redemption arc, akin to the Godfather Part II of his career (but with fewer mob hits and more triple-doubles). This was not his statistically best year: 7.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. But it was how he played. If 2015-2016 Draymond was an energetic rockstar, 2018-2019 Draymond was the matured legend doing an acoustic set, and it was mesmerizing.
Green’s defensive prowess returned with a vengeance, akin to Liam Neeson in 'Taken'. You could almost hear opponents whisper, “If you’re looking for points, I can tell you I don’t have them… because Draymond took them away.” His assists, still high, showcased that he was the offensive orchestrator, subtly pulling strings, setting up the Splash Brothers for the big crescendo.
3. 2016-2017 - The "I'll Show You" Season
The aftermath of the 3-1 debacle led to the Kevin Durant signing, leaving many to speculate about Green's importance. But Draymond, ever the fighter, made sure to remind everyone that the Warriors were still his team. Picture Bruce Springsteen joining U2; Bono is still front and center, right?
Averaging 10.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists, his stats were solid. But it was his Defensive Player of the Year award that shouted his significance. It was like watching a director known for comedies suddenly producing a critically acclaimed drama. Green’s versatility, intensity, and doggedness were at an all-time high.
4. 2019-2020 - The Mentor Chapter
With the Warriors’ dynasty on pause, and injuries plaguing the team, Draymond morphed into the veteran sage. Scoring took a backseat (8.0 PPG), but his assists per game (6.2) remained a testament to his vision. It's akin to Tom Brady being as valuable in the locker room as on the field, providing lessons money can't buy.
In a sea of rookies and G-League call-ups, Draymond was the Gandalf guiding the Hobbits of Golden State, ensuring they didn’t stray off the path. He might not have had the gaudy stats, but his leadership was immeasurable.
5. 2017-2018 - The “I’ve Still Got It” Year
Amidst the Durant-Curry fireworks, Draymond’s 11.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game made it clear: he was no third wheel. If the Warriors were the Beatles, Draymond wasn’t just George Harrison; he was George with a hint of John’s edge and Paul’s melody.
While others saw Durant’s presence as diminishing Draymond's role, I argue it made him more surgical. He picked his spots like a sniper, ensuring every move, every pass, and every shot was meaningful.
