Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 5/11/23: Draymond Green’s aggressiveness sets the tone for critical Game 6 victory

Good Morning Dub Nation,

The Golden State Warriors live to fight another day after beating the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5, 121-106. Wednesday’s victory was a massive first step in overcoming the team’s 3-1 deficit as it reaffirmed their confidence in accomplishing such a challenging feat, despite the rising odds.

The sense of urgency from the Warriors was clear from the opening tip. Draymond Green in particular set the tone in this one as he made his presence felt on both sides of the floor but specifically on the offensive end, finishing the night with 20 points. Here’s what our Brady Klopfer had to say about Green in his latest player grades article.

Via Golden State of Mind:

Draymond Green

30 minutes, 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, 7-for-11 shooting, 1-for-2 threes, 5-for-5 free throws, 75.8% TS, +13

Brilliance from Draymond. Absolute brilliance. It’s not fair to ask or expect him to do it every game, but it’s safe to say that the Warriors will win most of their games against the Lakers when Green outplays Anthony Davis. Which he did. Handily.

His defense was magnificent, but it was his offense that really stood out. Sure, he finished below his average in assists, but it was an absolute clinic on offense. He was aggressive going to the rim, forcing the Lakers to defend or foul, and setting the tone. He made his free throws. He made some big jumpers. And as soon as the Lakers thought about defending him more honestly, he found the open man.

Incredible performance.

Grade: A

Green joined a fantastic supporting cast of Warriors players which included Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II who all made the necessary plays for the Dubs to win this game. In a postgame interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, head coach Steve Kerr discussed the importance of other players stepping up on Wednesday night.

The series now at 3-2 heads back to Los Angeles for what is expected to be the toughest matchup of the remaining two games. Although the Warriors seemed to have figured out some weaknesses in the stout Lakers’ defense, they know very well that Friday’s Game 6 on the road will not be an easy one to win. Having said that, the battle-tested, championship core draws from their experience to ready themselves for war on Friday night.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• The creative ways through which the Warriors forced Anthony Davis into constant on-ball action
• Player grades: Game 5
• Early indications are that Anthony Davis seems to have avoided a concussion
• Steph Curry, Warriors survive Game 5, defeat Lakers 121-106
• Stephen Curry has been selected to the 2022-2023 All-NBA Second Team

Other Warriors News:

• Warriors target Anthony Davis in switching action to beat Lakers in Game 5 (The Athletic)
• Draymond Green sets tone as Warriors beat Lakers to stay alive (ESPN)
• NBA rumors: Bucks to interview Warriors’ Kenny Atkinson for head coach job (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Anonymous Lakers player’s NSFW response to Warriors’ flopping complaints (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Is Jordan Poole a Core Piece for the Golden State Warriors? (Bleacher Report)

NBA News:

• Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic lead 2022-23 Kia All-NBA 1st Team (NBA)
• Knicks push Heat to Game 6 behind Jalen Brunson’s 38-point gem (ESPN)
• JJ Redick interviews for Raptors’ coaching job, sources say (ESPN)
• NBA names legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski as special adviser to basketball operations (The Athletic)
• INJURY UPDATE: Suns list Ayton as questionable, Chris Paul out, and Book seems “OK” (SB Nation)