For Draymond Green, the Warriors have rediscovered the pleasure of playing together

Stephen Curry is all smiles, both arms in the air while Draymond Green comes to hug the author of the winning basket, Klay Thompson. This one, served by his interior, has just finished off the Kings with a mid-range shot almost at the buzzer of the match.

Scenes of joy and collective celebration which, according to the inside of the Warriors, contrast with last season. “ Last year the team was horrible when it came to chemistry. It was hard to come to work, it wasn’t fun “, describes the team veteran bluntly, picked up by ESPN.

Draymond Green does not say to what extent his altercation with Jordan Poole, ahead of that season, may have played into the Warriors locker room. But this year, he says he sees “ the joy on the guys’ faces when they arrive at the room. Some stay two or three hours chatting. They get up two or three hours early to be here. We start to see that and we say to ourselves that this is a group that likes to be together. »

Time spent together

This collective joy, undeniable at the start of the season, has always been an essential element of their dynasty.

This was reinforced this summer during which the players spent a lot of time together. The veterans, around the Curry – Thompson – Green trio, organized several meetings in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Many team dinners lasted hours.

And the arrival of Chris Paul, perfectly integrated, also seems to have had positive effects.

“ The time we spent together was beneficial. We were able to evacuate the question of the arrival of (CP3) in the team, and that of other recovered veterans. It allowed us to get to know each other’s personalities and motivations before the start of the year. “, reports Stephen Curry, aware of “ the atmosphere » in which the Warriors were immersed last year, after their title.

Trust in those on the ground

Draymond Green says he sees “ adults “, of the ” professionals “, of the “ stable elements » within the franchise. “ It is paying off. Look at our second five, they sometimes play better than the first », Judges the interior, speaking of this density of staff. And as Stephen Curry says, even if the Warriors don’t play ” perfect basketball, there is great cohesion, alchemy and confidence in those on the pitch “.

“ Chemistry has always been a strong point here. That’s why so many guys have been here so long, chemistry is what we rely on. (Last year), our chemistry was zero. But it was only a year, it was an anomaly. We’re back where we belong », swears Draymond Green to conclude.