Is Draymond Green’s Communication Vital to Golden State’s Success?
Is the communication of Draymond Green vital to the success of Golden State? This question lies at the heart of the Warriors’ performance dynamics. Green plays such a crucial role, it’s fair to say, even a given, that he’s both a large part of the key and the key part of the large figure that is vocal leadership and on-the-court strategy with the kind of team cohesion that somehow allows the Warriors to avoid the dreaded “H” word.
The Role of Communication in Team Sports
In team sports, clear communication is an absolute necessity. It is what allows a team to work together and accomplish the basic tasks of coordination and strategy execution, not to mention keeping player morale at a decent level. Player-to-player interactions are, in many ways, the defining characteristics of a good team. And when it comes to good teams, the NBA plays host to many of them.
This assertion is supported by statistics. A study by the NBA found that teams with high levels of communication tend to have much better defensive ratings than teams with poor communication. In fact, the teams with the best communication had an average of 107.4 in defensive ratings, while those with poor communication had a far lower average (Duncan).
This principle of communication finds its epitome in the person of Draymond Green. His presence on the court is almost as vocal as it is sublime. Translation, directing teammates, and holding others accountable comprise a trifecta of vocal virtues that make him indispensable. His responsibilities as a forward put him in a position where he must not only enhance the team’s defense but also communicate effectively with every player in half-court sets. His role is one of a communicator, making his presence and vocalizations even more valuable in late-game situations.
Draymond Green’s Impact on Team Dynamics
The way Green communicates is direct and assertive. When he isn’t on the bench, he spends his time on the court acting as a floor general, making split-second decisions that ripple out and affect the entire team. Everything he says and does seems to have a clear purpose, and that purpose is to make the team better—if not immediately, then by instilling a foundation of clarity that pays off in the long run.
During Green’s time with the franchise, Golden State netted three NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018).
- Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017: Green.
- His average of assists per game (APG) peaked at 7.3 in the 2016-2017 season.
In addition, Green’s interaction communicates trust and support among players. It is clear that teammates feel encouraged to experiment and risk failure, reassured by the presence of Green’s not-too-far-off guidance. And it is under this umbrella that a “we” culture emphasizes collective accomplishment over any single player’s reaching for the stars.
Is Draymond Green’s Communication Vital to Golden State’s Success?
Yes, Golden State’s success is owing to Draymond Green’s communication skills. Strategic dialogues ensure the team stays aligned during tense moments. What remains unclear, however, is whether the Warriors are good or bad—if they go in when they ought to and don’t go in when they ought not to—at guarding the rim. Green’s presence appears to correlate with positive performance metrics.
For example, in the 2020-2021 season, Golden State’s defensive efficiency was 104.6 with Green on the floor, compared to 112.9 when he was not on the floor. This substantial difference shows how much better the Warriors are defensively with Green, and, more specifically, how much the Warriors are better at coordinating their defense with Green relaying commands. And Green is better at relaying commands than at any point in his career. In 2020-2021, he actually averaged fewer points, assists, and rebounds than in 2019-2020.
Moreover, Green’s communication is not confined to oral interactions. His body language, eye contact, and even gestures are crucial to non-verbal communication. Reading his teammates, he knows when someone is not up to par. That’s when he encourages them or gives them tactical advice to maintain the team’s overall performance and morale.
Fostering Growth and Development Through Communication
Green also communicates well when it comes to his role as a mentor for younger players. He shares with them what he knows and what he has experienced, and in doing so, he all but guarantees that the core values and principles that underpin the Warriors way of life will be passed on to the next generation.
Mentorship’s effect on players like Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins is clear and undeniable. Both link their development to Green’s advisement. Consider how Poole’s scoring jumped to 18.5 points per game during the 2021-2022 season, something that cannot be correlated to prior years. This uptick has to be associated with how Green influences and communicates with the player.
Moreover, Green plays a vital role in fostering an accountability-driven culture. He not only upholds this tenet himself, which is incredibly important for personal growth and team bonding, but also encourages his teammates to do the same. As he said in a recent interview, roughly half of what makes this all work is his doing, and roughly half of what makes this all work is his teammates’ doing. In other words, Green is leading by example and pushing his teammates to lead by example, too. And this is why accountability is such a strong current flowing through the Warriors this season.
Conclusion: The Indispensable Role of Draymond Green’s Communication
To conclude, is communication from Draymond Green critical to the success of Golden State? The evidence suggests otherwise. The leadership style of this power forward, combined with a strong emphasis on communication, has propelled the Warriors up the ladder of success.
As teams in the NBA and elsewhere assess their strategies, the value of good communication rises to the top. Green’s job is a case in point. He demonstrates how communication can work like a charm in the business of sports. And make no mistake, the NBA is a business. Part of Green’s job, as he tells it, is to help coaches and players think clearly. Part of thinking clearly, in Green’s book, is knowing how to express one’s thoughts in a way that makes sense to the person on the other end of the conversation.
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