Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr came to the defence of veteran forward Draymond Green following a troubling showing in the Warriors’ 113-109 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, but his comments sparked fresh debate given Green’s broader struggles this NBA season.
The defeat marked a disappointing night for the Dubs, particularly on the offensive end in the first half, where Golden State managed just seven assists and appeared disjointed without star guard Stephen Curry on the floor. Although Green contributed defensively during the game, his offensive impact was limited early on — he finished the first half with minimal scoring contributions and a negative plus-minus figure as the Pelicans largely ignored him on that end of the court.
After the game, Kerr was asked about Green’s performance and, rather than acknowledge significant struggles, he stressed aspects of Green’s effort that improved in the second half. “I thought Draymond did a really good job of running the floor,” Kerr told reporters, highlighting Green’s transition game and off-ball movement that helped unlock some assists in the latter stages of the matchup. Kerr also pointed to adjustments the Warriors made that facilitated those plays.
Kerr further explained that Green’s form must be understood in the context of playing without Curry, with whom he has historically had a highly synergistic partnership. Without Curry’s offensive gravity on the court, Kerr suggested that Green and the Warriors’ offense must adapt — a process that has produced uneven results since the All-Star break.
While Green’s second-half numbers — including a notable positive plus-minus — showed some improvements, the overall narrative remains that his contributions have been inconsistent this season and reflective of deeper challenges without key teammates. Fans and analysts have pointed to his struggles in recent games as part of wider concerns about his role and effectiveness.
Kerr’s remarks underline a continued confidence in Green’s basketball IQ, leadership and long-term value to the team, even as the veteran navigates a tougher stretch of play and the organisation works to integrate current roster changes.