Draymond Green pointed out where he thinks the Warriors are falling short in their pursuit of another title, a view that Jimmy Butler later echoed.
The Golden State Warriors have yet to live up to the high expectations placed on them at the start of this NBA season.
After opening with a 5-1 run, they’ve slipped back to .500 at 6-6. Their most recent game against the Thunder highlighted some worrying trends, lacking any signs of championship form.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Golden State. They had a similar dip last year after a promising start, though things turned around later in the season when Jimmy Butler joined them.
Butler’s arrival seemed to steady the team last time around, but there’s still plenty of work to do this season. Draymond Green didn’t hold back when discussing their recent slide, suggesting that even Butler’s impact hasn’t been enough to keep them on track so far.
Draymond Green says Golden State Warriors players are not ‘committed to winning’
Draymond Green didn’t hold back after the Golden State Warriors lost 128-109 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, speaking out on what he sees as a lack of commitment from his teammates.
Speaking post-game, Green said he doesn’t see the same focus that appeared when Jimmy Butler joined last season.
“I think everyone was committed to winning (after the Butler trade last season) and doing that any way possible. Right now, it doesn’t feel that way.
“I think everyone has a personal agenda in this league, but you have to make the personal agenda work in the team confines.
“And if it doesn’t work, then you kinda gotta get rid of your agenda or eventually the agenda is the cause of someone getting rid of you… You gotta have some type of personal agenda…”
Jimmy Butler backs Draymond Green’s call for greater commitment from Warriors
Jimmy Butler was asked about Draymond Green’s comments in the locker room. For the most part, Butler agreed with his teammate.
Butler didn’t push back, instead agreeing that sacrifice is needed if the team wants to turn things around.
“I think he’s partly correct. We just gotta get back to doing whatever it takes to win. Everybody is going to have to sacrifice something. I can’t tell you what that sacrifice might be for every individual…”
“Winning is the main thing and the only thing in this moment. The collective and the group (need) to figure out how to win.”
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The veterans on this team want their younger teammates to step up and bring some energy that they feel has been lacking.
Even Steve Kerr has noticed a lack of hunger from some of the younger players, so maybe it’s time for a serious discussion within the squad about how they move forward from here.
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