Draymond Green on Steph Curry’s Injury: No Shutdown Without a Clear Medical Reason
The injury absence of Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry has ignited a debate: should the team consider shutting him down for the remainder of the season? Draymond Green emphatically doesn’t believe that’s on the horizon, at least not without a definitive medical directive. Speaking on a recent episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” the Warriors forward firmly pushed back against the idea of Curry being sidelined for the rest of the year if he’s physically capable of returning to the court.
Green’s stance stems from a deep understanding of Curry’s unwavering competitive spirit. He referenced the challenging 2019-20 season, a year marred by injuries to key players like Curry and Klay Thompson. Despite the Warriors’ dismal record at the time – a mere 15 wins – Curry was actively preparing for a late-season return.
A Testament to Curry’s Mentality
“He was preparing to come back in the season where we had won 15 games,” Green explained. “So I say that from experience when I say, he’s not just going to shut it down just to shut it down. It’s not who he is.” This anecdote highlights Curry’s dedication and refusal to concede defeat, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Stay updated on all things Bay Area sports with the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, and analysis from NBC Sports Bay Area.
No Tanking for the Warriors
Currently, Curry is sidelined due to right patellofemoral pain syndrome (commonly known as runner’s knee). The Warriors announced on Sunday that he will be re-evaluated in 10 days, meaning he will miss at least five more games. However, even with playoff positioning uncertain, Green is confident that both the organization and Curry himself will resist the temptation to “tank” – intentionally lose games to improve draft odds.
“I can also assure you Joe Lacob isn’t going to tank,” Green added. “He’s never going to take that approach.” He acknowledged the significant challenge of competing without Curry and other key players, stating, “An entire offense is built around Steph Curry. You don’t have those two guys. You’re essentially trying to, on the fly, completely change your offense.”
Focus on Competition and Improvement
For now, the Warriors’ focus remains on competing and building positive habits while awaiting Curry’s return. “All you can do is continue to fight, make sure you’re maintaining and building good habits,” Green noted. “Try to give yourself a chance to win these games.”
While a swift return isn’t expected, Green remains optimistic about Curry’s eventual comeback. “Hopefully Steph’s back soon,” Green said. “That obviously won’t be anytime in the next week or two. So we’ll see. But we’ll just keep fighting and plugging away.”
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