Draymond Green Defends Stephen Curry’s Impact Amidst Recent Comparisons: “That’s Just Not How You Win Championships”

Draymond Green rejected Monta Ellis’ claim that the Warriors could have enjoyed similar success without Stephen Curry.

Draymond Green Defends Stephen Curry’s Impact Amidst Recent Comparisons: “That’s Just Not How You Win Championships”

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green (Image credits - ESPN)

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have played 14 seasons together for the Golden State Warriors. Curry was drafted first as the number seven pick in 2009, while Green was a second round pick in 2012. Alongside Klay Thompson, the trio went on to make history together.

When Steve Kerr took over as the head coach in 2014, the Warriors went on to become one of the greatest dynasties of all time. They made it to six NBA Finals and won four championships from 2015 to 2022 with Curry at the helm.

A few days ago, former Warriors star Monta Ellis claimed that the Warriors would achieve the same success as they did if he switched with Curry and played in the same championship winning teams.

The wild claim caught everyone’s attention in the NBA world. Soon, Green pushed back against Ellis’ claim and spoke about their different styles of play on his show.

Monta Ellis said, ‘If you switch me and Steph with the team that won championships, it’d be the same thing.’ Ellis’ game and Steph Curry’s game are drastically different. So saying that you can incorporate Ellis in place of Steph, you have to change the whole offense because the offense in large part was built around Steph. It is not the same because it is not the same skillset.

Draymond Green on The Draymond Green Show

Ellis’ comments sparked a debate regarding Curry’s influence on the Warriors. While he impressed during his seven seasons with the Dubs and won the Most Improved Player award in 2017, his offensive skillset was different to Curry’s. He led the Warriors to the playoffs just once in his career.

Ellis was traded away by the Warriors in 2012 as they decided they would build their team around Curry. It worked wonders in the end and it may have left a bitter taste in Ellis’ mouth. Hence, it is possible he made the wild claim despite their very different styles of play.

His comments triggered a strong response from the NBA world, who came out in defense of the two-time MVP. While Draymond Green did not show any disrespect towards Ellis, he offered his perspective and brought in some much-needed clarity.

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Draymond Green reacts to Jeff Teague’s comments on replacing Stephen Curry with Damian Lillard

No player in the NBA knows how to play with Stephen Curry better than Green. They share a telepathic relationship with each other and Green’s defensive abilities helps Curry to play freely.

While Ellis made the claim that the Dubs would have the same success if he played in place of Curry, Jeff Teague intensified the debate by adding Damian Lillard to the mix. Green defended his teammate in response to Teague’s comments.

There is no doubt that Lillard does share a similar skillset and style of play to Curry in terms of shooting and their range of shooting. However, Curry brings in a lot more as a player with his off the ball movement and ability to make space for himself.

Lillard is a nine-time All-Star and a former Rookie of the Year. However, his best postseason run came in 2019 when he led the Portland Trail Blazers to the Western Conference Finals. They couldn’t win a single game in the series and lost to Curry and the Warriors.

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Draymond Green speaks on Stephen Curry as a leader

Curry will go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game and is undoubtedly the greatest shooter of all time. Both he and Green have been through a lot in their careers. While Green is a vocal figure and a strong leader on the court, Curry leads the team by example.

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green (Image credits – Bleacher Report)

A lot goes into winning a championship and Green knows it better than most. The former Defensive Player of the Year weighed in on what Curry brings into the team outside of the court.

It’s not just the basketball. It’s the makeup of the person. How does that guy lead? How does the organization then fall into place with that guy being the face of the organization? So I think these statements are null and void and kind of irrelevant. I think [the statements] also takes away what Steph Curry is as a leader, who he is as a leader.

Draymond Green said on The Draymond Green Show

Curry’s impact changed the culture of the organization. After trading away Ellis, Curry won four championships, one Finals MVP, two league MVPs, two scoring titles and most importantly, he was the leader of the team that many consider as the greatest dynasty of all time from 2015 to 2019.

The Curry-Ellis decision remains one of the defining moments in Warriors history. The decision not only transformed the Warriors on the court but off the court as well as the Warriors became one of the most valuable organization in the sports world.

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