Analysis: Draymond Green faces a critical moment in the Warriors-Rockets Game 7

Draymond Green rarely feels melancholy after losing. But after the Warriors lost to the Houston Rockets in the sixth game on Friday night, he answered 14 questions in a normal manner until the 15th question choked up.

When asked about the retirement of San Antonio Spurs legendary coach Greg Popovich, Green spent a full three minutes recalling Popovich's career. Draymond played for Popovich and won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The two respect each other as if they are close to each other.

"I just hope," Green said as he approached the end of his speech, "I can go to the sidelines to hug him for the last time before the game." At this moment, Green almost couldn't suppress his emotions, as if it was a heartfelt hymn, praising the end of an era, and he knew that his era was heading on the same path.

In the first six games of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, Green did not show much of his energy that was full of energy and game-changing energy, even if statistics don't always reflect that. He also had flashes, most notably in the last few seconds of Game 4 when he saved Alperen Senting's final shot. There are also times when Green's offensive influence is offset by burly point guard Fred VanVleet and the Houston Rockets' tall, athletic wingers.

Green's defense against Monkini - Morito is five inches taller, weighs twenty pounds, and 12 years younger - is like a wonderful showdown, with both sides winning their respective victories. Mori Kyo averaged 20.8 points per game, shot 46.3% from the field and had 5.3 assists, which were slightly higher than his regular season statistics.

The Warriors will face the Rockets' seventh game at the Houston Toyota Center on Sunday. Soon, we can see whether Draymond can still control his passion and push himself and his teammates to higher levels than he imagined.

If he can do it, the Warriors have a great chance to break the deadlock.

If he can't, the Warriors need excellent performances from players such as Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III to have a chance.

"He is the key to our control of the mood of the game," head coach Steve Cole said Saturday. “He has played in many seven games and has performed very well.”

Green last played seven games two years ago, when he was a power forward, in the first round series against the Kings. He scored 8 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals at the time. In the 38-minute game against Harrison Barnes, Green had plus-minus plus-25, and the Warriors won 120-100 after Curry scored 50 points.

This time, Green served as center and competed with Morikyo, who was larger and had stronger offensive firepower.

Just like two years ago, either win or go home.

"The game plan must be executed," Green said after losing Game 6 on Friday. "Everyone will be very excited. It will be very lively.

" Then the game started, there was only basketball. You have to implement your game plan and stick to it. They will score. Persevere to the end and continue fighting. But it must be executed. ”

There is no doubt that Draymond is one of the smartest players in the league, and he knows it well. However, the first six games of the series left an open question: whether his body can still complete commands from the brain.

He averaged 6.6 points, 36.6% from the field, 26.1% from three-pointers, and 57.1% from free throws. Although Draymond's value is not reflected in simple statistics, his average of 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game is shocking.

"I think he realized that this series is not pleasant for him," Cole said. "He rarely gets the big guys' running and pick-and-roll opportunities. They sent Van Vleet to keep him under control, trying to get him out of the attack, trying to disrupt his pace, trying to get him to foul and malicious fouls, just like Jaylen Green did in Game 6. Draymond knew he couldn't handle this in that way. If the Warriors lose, they have to face the reality that if their core players - Curry, Butler and Green - have the next playoff chance, it will be Curry 38, Butler and Green each 36 years old.

Green's career is the most challenging of the NBA's active players. His unique defensive ability is fully utilized, and almost half of his playing time is with players who are 7 inches taller and 50 pounds heavier than him. :

How long can Draymond stay on the defensive end? The Golden State Warriors need to have an elite-level performance that far exceeds any of his first six games.

"He has to stay calm and realize that he is the best defensive player in the world," Cole said. "If we do our job well, he can play at the best defensive level, keep our mood stable, we can do our job well, and we have a great chance of winning. "

" and he can laugh to the end. ”

This laughter will convince Draymond, the Warriors and other NBA teams that this threat that can change the game is still promising. And the laughter will also spread throughout Texas.