Draymond Green is concerned with Warriors' defensive schemes leading to foul troubles: “The fouling is a problem”
Draymond Green outlined the problems within Golden State that have led to their disappointing 3-5 start to the season.
Most assumed the team, as defending champion, was going to come out a lot hotter than they have. However, the squad has lost all four of its road games this season.
Green chalked it up to the Warriors being undisciplined. The four-time champion and defensive great believes that he and his teammates foul way too often.
Golden State is averaging 23.1 fouls per game this season. The only teams fouling more are the Sacramento Kings (23.8), New York Knicks (24.0) and Utah Jazz (24.5).
Is Green correct though? Last season, the Warriors averaged 21.1 fouls per game, with only two teams having more fouls (Detroit and Minnesota). But even with the high foul average, Golden State went on to win the championship.
The number being this high so early into the season is alarming. It shows that the squad did not learn from their high foul count last season.
Averaging so many fouls per game this early into a new season is definitely a problem. Green's ability to notice it and talk about refining it going forward is a step in the right direction, though. Actions like these show the benefit of having such veteran knowledge on the roster.
Green is arguably the commander of the Warriors’ backcourt, so him being the first to speak about their undisciplined attitudes should be a spark.
Green is known for sacrificing buffing his stat sheet to throw presses and aggression off the ball. That aggression could be costing the Warriors.
"What we know is, the fouling is a problem," Green said. "We're fouling way too much."
The Warriors are committing 23.3 fouls per game right now, fifth most in the league.
Draymond Green: “The fouling is a problem.” https://t.co/BzK8jn4Iif
Draymond Green says foul trouble affecting the Warriors offense
Stephen Curry is ninth in the league in scoring average (30.0 points per game). Despite his high numbers, his squad is 3-5.
The Warriors' fouls have inhibited them from flowing on offense.
This has happened a few times with Jordan Poole battling travel calls (although not a foul) over the last few games. In Tuesday's 116-109 loss at the Miami Heat, he was called for three travels.
On top of that, Draymond Green leads the league in technical fouls, standing with three. Right behind him is Jordan Poole, with two. So, Poole is racking up all kinds of trouble. However, Klay Thompson also has two technicals. Having three key components at the top of that list is a red flag.
The 23-year-old shooting guard is still averaging 16.8 points and 5.0 assists in 29.1 minutes per game. If he could curb his foul troubles, the team would be in a much better position.
It’s not like anyone on the team lacks discipline or offensive output. The fouls are inexcusable for a team with such experience. Jordan Poole’s early troubles can be fixed and are different from Green's or Thompson's.
Jordan is only in his third year in the league. That is not an excuse for allowing fouls, but when veterans Green and Thompson are up on that list with him, the blame has to be shared.
If the squad can curb its fouls, the woes should dissipate.
Andrew Wiggins is averaging 17.8 ppg and Klay Thompson is averaging 13.3 ppg.
That’s 79 ppg from four people. Lower the fouls and watch the points and wins rise.