LOS ANGELES - Draymond Green raced out to a strong start this Warriors season, snagging double-digit rebounds and dishing out team highs in assists.
In a conversation Monday before Green and Kevin Durant had a dust-up at the start of overtime against the Clippers, Steve Kerr shared his read on Green's outlook for the season.
"Draymond is our vocal leader," the Warriors coach said. "We have quiet leadership elsewhere with Steph and Andre and KD. We've had veteran leadership here before with David West and Zaza.
"I think Draymond this year is taking on more of an elder statesman role. I think his composure and poise is better right now than it's ever been, and I think that's why he's playing better than he's ever played."
Following the Clippers game, Green is averaging 7.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, and he leads the Warriors in steals with 23.
Kerr noted Green has worked on his touch this season, with both hands. Kerr believes Green's passing is even better this year.
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"I'm really proud of him," Kerr said. "As a great player in this league ... not that I was ever one of them ... great players have to get better in the margins. They have to work on the little things because they're already great at everything else."
Other coaches are sometimes curious about Green.
"I think I've been asked a couple times what it's like to coach him," Kerr said. "My answer is, ‘You should be so lucky.' You could ask for somebody who is a little easier to coach, you know ... but if that comes with no edge, no competitive fire and a lot of losses? If that's what you want, go ahead."
He continued: "I think for the first time ... this will be our fifth season together ... I don't think we're going to get into (arguments). In the past, we've gotten into it. Sometimes, it's been productive. Sometimes, we both needed it.
"It feels like our relationship has taken a different course, like it's more collaborative than ever. He's in a place in his career where he's comfortable and confident. He's got three championships, he's got a Defensive Player of the Year award. He doesn't have to prove anything."
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