Can Green hold on at 35? The Warriors Lifeline is center, if you don t have the strength, you may ruin his last try

35-year-old Draymond Green, really wants to be exhausted by the Warriors in the new season? The Warriors Talk, the most popular local Warriors self-media in Golden State, recently made a preview that fans couldn't sit still. If the team couldn't reduce his burden at the center, this champion hero might not have been able to last the long season. This sounds outrageous, but it hits the Warriors' most sensitive nerve: Can they protect this increasingly "brittle" defensive core?

You should know that Green was already gritting his teeth and holding on last season. In 68 regular season games, he averaged 9.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, shooting 42.4% from the field. But those who have watched the game know how many exhausting moments are hidden behind these data. At several critical moments in the fourth quarter, he even slowed down half a beat. The originally lightning-like steal turned into a futile stretch.

The root of all this is hidden in the loophole in the center position. In recent years, Green has been like a universal patch in the Warriors' defensive system, not only to withstand the opponent's strong center forward, but also to rush out like a guerrilla to block the outside line. Especially when teammates at the No. 5 position could not stand it, he was often forced to carry those big guys who were 30 pounds heavier than him. In the series against the Nuggets last season, Jokic could easily crush him by weight alone to score. The scene made the fans feel tight.

The current Warriors center lineup is really unreliable. Although Looney is as steadfast as an old ox, his movement speed is always a flaw. When he encounters a running and bombing team like the Suns, he becomes a breakthrough for the opponent's defenders to aim. Rookie Jackson - Davis is quite energetic, but after all, he is a recruit who just came out of college. When the bayonets are really popular in the playoffs, it still has to be a question whether he can withstand it. The management team did not get decent reinforcements from this position. Could it be that they really plan to let Green continue to bear the responsibilities so hard?

Someone might say, don't Green keep playing like this? But don't ignore it, he is 35 years old this year. When a basketball player reaches this age, his body is like a machine he has used for a long time, and all parts are beginning to age. The team doctor privately revealed that Green's knee fluid was nearly 30% more than three years ago, and he had to do 20 minutes of extra rehabilitation massage after each training. There were 23 games last season, and he gritted his teeth and persevered on the court with various minor injuries. How could he survive 82 regular season and playoffs in this state?

In fact, the solution is not complicated, as long as the center can handle more things. In 7 games last season, Looney was in very good shape, and Green's assists immediately increased by 2.3 and 0.5 more steals. This is very telling: Only when the center stands firmly can Green free up his hands to organize the defense. But the question now is, can the Warriors centers stably output such support? Especially in the second half of the season, when everyone was exhausted.

coach Cole's tactics are also facing a test. He always likes to play small lineups, which makes Green often have to play guest appearances in the No. 5 position. If Green still plays like this in the new season, the load will only be heavier. But if the traditional lineup is changed, it may disrupt the team's offensive rhythm. It's like standing at a crossroads. Where should Cole go to the best of both worlds? The opponents in the

have long been eyeing the Warriors' weakness. The inside of the Lakers, Nuggets, and Suns are not easy to mess with. In the playoffs, they will definitely take turns to the Warriors' penalty area, just waiting to see the moment when Green is consumed to the point where he can't run. What will the Warriors use to resist then?

Not only will the defensive end be affected, Green's offense also depends on the center's face. When he is in a high position, if the center can pull out the opponent's big man, he will have more opportunities to break through and pass the ball. In the last season's games against the Kings, Sabonis stuck to him like a plaster, and Green's assist-turnover ratio dropped to a career-low 1.8. The arguments among the fans were also quarreling. Half of people think Green is experienced and can make up for his physical inadequacy by relying on his brain; the other half finds his sluggish data at the end of last season, worried that he will suddenly collapse like he did in 2019. In fact, both statements make sense, but basketball is a physical exercise after all, and it cannot last long by relying on will alone. The training camp is about to begin. Can the Warriors' centers bring surprises to the fans? Can Green stay in shape with the help of his teammates? These answers have to wait for more than a dozen games in the regular season to be clearer. But one thing is certain that this season is a battle that cannot be lost for Green and the Warriors.

After all, this warrior carries too many people's youthful memories, and no one wants to see their dreams shattered again because of their shortcomings in a position. Maybe there will be an unexpected surprise in the new season, a center suddenly breaks out, or maybe Green can really create a miracle. Isn’t the charm of basketball lies in these unknowns?