Golden State Warriors did some 5-on-0 and drill work at practice today and Draymond Green participated for the first time since the Klay Day game on January 9th.
Afterwards Steve Kerr, Kevon Looney and Otto Porter first spoke to reporters, then Green also took the podium to give an update on his rehab.
The most promising bit of info was that Draymond felt that he — mind you, as a newbie to rehab processes — could engage in contact right now. Of course, we all know that rehabs are overseen by head trainer Rick Celebrini and with all the caution surrounding Klay Thompson’s return two to three months ago, and James Wiseman’s now… (as seen in this video update:)
…we should not get too excited. By that same token, Green himself reiterated that if he says he feels like he’s three weeks away and it ends up being five, it won’t “mean I necessarily suffered a setback.”
While we’re on the topic of caution, Kerr gave a brief (non-)update on Andre Iguodala. I’m in the process of transcribing Kerr, then Looney and Porter and I’ve assumed there isn’t groundbreaking stuff about Dray from Kevon or Otto, to add to what Green talked about below. I plan to have that full report broken down by topic, including the quote on Iguodala, available to paid subscribers by tomorrow morning. It will include bonus video.
Below is the video recap, which doesn’t cover the entire nineteen-minute interview with Green, but does include some practice footage of Draymond shooting around:
Below is also the video recap from Portland. I’m happy to report that these behind-the-scenes looks are doing better than I expected, so if you feel like they’re good, please like, comment, subscribe and share the YouTube link to all your friends!
Draymond after Warriors practice 2/26/22
• *Monte talked to a Michigan State alum who helps the community (Lauren ?):* “… not afraid to be told no, it ultimately boosts the engagement in the community …” (Monte says he’ll sit down with her tomorrow)
• *How do you feel?* “I feel good. Getting my explosiveness back … my wind back, feel … just to feel that energy, to be out there with the guys … figuring different things out that’s been installed since I’ve been out … still a little ways away but overall I feel great … progress … stronger.”
2:15 • *Still sticking to three or four weeks from all star break?* “I’m trying to stick to as fast as I can possibly get back and be prepared to dominate. I was dominating when I got hurt. I plan on coming back and dominating. I don’t wanna lump back out there, trying to figure that out as I go. I wanna come back stronger than when I left … I’m still a little ways away from that … just get some of those (games) under my belt before the playoffs I’ll be fine … day by day, week by week … if you guys knew where I was eight weeks ago, or seven weeks ago, it’s night and day, so very pleased with where I am …”
3:36 • *What’s been difficult?* “Not being able to do nothing, not being able to travel, not being able to sit on the bench … going from the absolute top to the absolute bottom … not being able to do anything … it was hard to wrap my mind around it … it just kinda came out of nowhere …”
4:40 • *Was there a point where you thought you’d be done for the season?* “Umm, no. I mean, anytime you hear surgery … you get nervous, but that was quickly put to bed by everyone … for someone who’s never been injured to this magnitude, you don’t really know how fast things progress … will I be able to rebuild my strength in time? … I had a lot of doubt … now I can see it …”
6:17 • *Nobody seems to be worried about No. 1 seed if you’re healthy:* “I’m not sure we’ve ever won a playoff series and didn’t win a road game (Ray says Draymond, Steph and Klay have been in 23 playoff series) — Exactly … the goal is to win one on the road anyways … to exhaust yourself for the one seed … close out game at home, but I’ve won game sevens on the road and I’ve lost game sevens at home …”
8:04 • *If you’re healthy you’ll just take your chances?* “(repeats not to exhaust themselves “trying to chase after it”)
8:42 • *How much are up factoring in that you’ll have to play more center?* “… right now I am way stronger than I’ve ever been in my life, in part due to six weeks of just sitting in the weight room … for four or five hours a day … how many centers in this league are you actually worried about taking advantage of you because you’re smaller … there’s a few … they’re bigger but they’re not really bigger … I feel like I can guard just about any center in this league … if I’m at center at the other end that’s usually a problem for the other team …”
11:00 • *Looney says Kuminga has been a better listener:* “… that’s maturity. No one ever talks about what a guy’s going through in life before they come here and how that could affect you … to see him wanting to learn … you can see the growth on both ends of the floor … who do you look for for veteran leadership … he’s taking advantage of the situation …”
12:25 • *Where have you seen the most growth from Kuminga?* “His shot selection … coming into the season he did the typical thing most guys do which is I wanna show your can shoot so bad that I’m probably gonna take some shots I shouldn’t … stop trying to prove to everybody he could shoot … ironically the shots starts falling. Basketball isn’t a sport where you can just press your way through … it’s more rhythm than anything and feel, pace … it’s pretty hard for teams to stop you when you put your head down and get to the rim especially with the shooting on the floor … understanding the pictures around him …”
13:50 • *Steph has historically shot the ball better after the break:* “No I haven’t noticed that. To me it’s seems like he always shoots it well from deep …you kinda get that second wind and you’re tuning up for playoffs …”
14:50 • *What is left in your rehab process?* “It’s literally just continuing to strengthen, get my explosiveness back to where it was or better … no guide to how strength is going to grow … everybody’s different … feels that it’s three weeks or so … don’t mean I necessarily suffered a setback, just kinda feel like I’m not ready yet … very fluid thing … dramatically change over the last two weeks … now I can see it but that’s also my inexperience in dealing with rehab …”
17:26 • *What is a reasonable amount of games to ramp up to playoffs?* “If it were up to me it’d be twenty … as soon as I feel like I’m whole … if it’s five then the five is gonna have to work … as far as contact scrimmaging hopefully that’ll come sooner rather than later … if it’s up to me I’ll tell you I’m ready for contact today … just following Rick’s lead …”
/end