Draymond Green is having a rough start to 2022.
The All-Star forward has missed the Warriors’ last 20 games with a back injury.
The Warriors have played 21 consecutive games without Green since he had a calf injury on Jan. 9 that dropped him. Ironically, ace shooting guard Klay Thompson returned to action the same night.
Thompson was on the sidelines for two and a half years due to his health issues.
Draymond Green doesn’t want Rudy Gobert mentioned in the same convo as him 😳 pic.twitter.com/N3y113ZMRt
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 21, 2022
The Draymond Factor
The Warriors have gone 13-8 since Draymond’s injury; however, the team was at the 29-9 mark before Green was hurt. Although Golden State occupies the No. 2 position in the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies have closed the gap to within 1.5 games going into the All-Star break.
Green speculated about his return to action before the Warriors’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib9ez61peJQ
“I’m hoping sometime within the next three or four weeks. I can’t put a definite timeline on it,” Green said. “At this point, I’m just rehabbing and building strength and letting my body heal. Ideally, I’d like to be back in three to four weeks, but I can’t guarantee that.
“When dealing with my back, one thing I’m not going to do is rush back out there,” he added. “If I’m not back in three weeks, that also doesn’t mean I’m not able to play in three weeks either. I want to return when I’m 100 percent confident that I’m healthy, when I feel like I’m in great shape.”
Draymond Green is here. He’s put on the big board, crowd boos loudly.
“Why don’t they like me? I only beat y’all three times.”
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) February 19, 2022
Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems
However, Green’s issues intensified this month.
According to reports, Green was present at SoFi Stadium to watch Super Bowl LVI. While the Los Angeles Rams were defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, Green’s home was burglarized.
According to multiple media reports from law enforcement, thieves took more than $1 million worth of items from Green’s home in Los Angeles on Feb. 13.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZf_KPT43bM
The perpetrators are alleged to have broken into the home through a window. Once inside, they relieved the ballplayer of his jewelry and watches, among other items.
There were no arrests yet, but it spoiled Green’s evident elation while hanging out behind LeBron James as the two celebrated the Rams’ 23-20 win.
Cleveland vaiando o Draymond Green.
O Green: pic.twitter.com/jbU9bcK1ZM
— Coast to Coast Brasil | NBA (@brasilcoast2) February 21, 2022
All Star (Ch)Jeers
Fast-forward, and the NBA All-Star break happened in Cleveland this weekend. Green, selected to the All-Star team as a reserve, did not play due to his reported lower back/disk injury.
"Nobody likes you, Draymond!"
"I DO!"
This fan had Draymond Green's back 😆 #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/5HNwvLlzRB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 19, 2022
Still, Green has had the same polarizing effect without even touching a basketball in Ohio.
On Saturday, the waiting crowd watching practice at NBA All-Star weekend welcomed the Warriors forward with a parade of boos. Luckily for Green, he enjoys agitating the world of basketball.
New Energy
Green has won three NBA championships against the Cleveland Cavaliers, so, understandably, team members from the Bay receive a disrespectful welcome whenever they play locally at the Rocket Mortage FieldHouse.
However, it is not all bad.
Green has signed a multi-year deal with TNT to serve as an analyst while he keeps playing for the Warriors.
While calamity has struck a couple of times in 2022, Green can look forward to poking the bear with Charles Barkley during special appearances on “Inside the NBA” with Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and host Ernie Johnson.
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