Draymond Green on Warriors’ Slow Start: ‘We F---ing Suck Right Now’

Draymond Green isn’t pulling punches after the Warriors’ slow start.

“The reality is we f---ing suck right now,” Green said after Golden State’s blowout loss to the Thunder on Sunday. “Hopefully we’ll get better. We’ll continue working at it and try to get better but we’re just not that good right now.”

The Warriors trailed Oklahoma City 70–37 at the half and trailed by 37 points at the end of the third quarter. 

The loss followed Thursday’s defeat at the hands of the Clippers in the first game at Golden State’s new arena in San Francisco. The Clippers, playing the second half of a back-to-back, won 141–122. Head coach Steve Kerr said the loss was “not a one-off” and that the Warriors were “starting over in many respects.”

The Warriors are adjusting to life without Kevin Durant, who left in free agency for the Nets, and Klay Thompson, who is not expected to play this season due to a torn ACL. Only four players from last year’s team that reached the franchise’s fifth consecutive NBA Finals (Green, Stephen Curry, Damion Lee and Jacob Evans) played in Sunday’s loss.

While much of the focus is on the loss of two of the league’s premier scoring threats, Green thinks the issue with Golden State’s defense. 

“Everybody loved our offense. It wasn’t our offense that was making us great. It was our defense. I’ve said that for years,” Green told reporters after Sunday’s game. “Our defense right now is nonexistent. I don’t even think we know what defense is right now. 

“The offense sucks because you’re playing against a set defense every time. I don’t know anybody in the NBA who can play against a set defense every play. We’re getting no transition opportunities because we don’t get stops.”

The Warriors will look to turn things around on Monday night in New Orleans against the Pelicans.