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Golden State Warriors veteran forward Draymond Green delivered an emotional and wide-ranging postgame press conference following the team’s 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns in the NBA play-in tournament on Friday night.
The defeat officially ended Golden State’s season and raised immediate questions about the future of head coach Steve Kerr and the core that defined the franchise’s championship era.
“You know just appreciating this year all the years that we’ve been together. Maybe the last time,” Green said, reflecting on the possibility of change within the organization.
Green acknowledged uncertainty surrounding Kerr’s future, adding, “Yeah. I think it’d be pretty crazy not to think that’s a possibility,” when asked about the chance this could be Kerr’s final season coaching the group.
He also noted Kerr’s contractual situation and broader coaching realities across the league. “Most coaches don’t coach on the last year of a contract,” Green said, before adding, “I hope not. Steve said that even though there were so many injuries and setbacks and losses this year, he still enjoyed coaching the team.”
The Warriors forward emphasized Kerr’s importance to the franchise, while recognizing the business side of the NBA. “If you’re winning, there’s no conversation about coach Kerr,” he said. “When you’re winning, you know what it looks like next.”
Golden State’s season was defined by injuries and lineup instability, something Green repeatedly referenced while still refusing to use it as a shield.
“Just so many guys going in and out of the lineup. Just unfortunate stuff,” he said. “But overall, I think it’s been, you know, another year in the NBA. I can’t complain too much.”
Green also highlighted the personal balance behind the grind. “My kids are growing like crazy. They’re doing great,” he said. “So sh*t… as bad as it seems, it’s never as bad as it seems. It’s never as good as it seems.”
Despite the frustration of a losing season, Green praised the organization’s culture. “The Warriors organization is still the best organization in the world,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to play there for 14 years.”
Looking at the broader impact of the team’s struggles, Green pointed to missed opportunities to support staff and internal personnel. “If you’re winning, you’re taking care of the coaching staff, the video staff, the training staff,” he said. “We haven’t won at a high enough level to take care of the people who take care of us.”
He also congratulated Phoenix while recognizing the Suns’ execution. “Congratulations to the Phoenix Suns,” Green said. “They deserved it.”
Asked about his own future, Green left the door open without signaling an endpoint. “I’m not retiring from basketball though. I still love to play,” he said. “Hopefully I’ve done enough to still be here.”
When reflecting on Golden State’s place in NBA history, Green summed up the season in blunt terms.
“Legendary,” he said. “We’ve been hit with more injuries this season than anything I’ve ever seen.”
Even in defeat, Green maintained the competitive tone that has defined his career. “We take pride in not being front runners,” he said. “Hopefully we can go back to the drawing board and come back next year and whip up on some people.”
