Draymond explains how Warriors improve challenge process and mindset originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The warriors are changing the narrative around their challenging system this season.
After ranking last in coaching challenge success rate during the 2023-24 NBA season, Golden State’s intuition has been much better through five games this season.
Coach Steve Kerr is now 4-1 in his challenges this season, four of which would have been Draymond Green fouls. Green explained why the Warriors have had a better sense of knowing when and when not to try a call.
“I think we’ve been better,” Green told reporters afterward. Wednesday’s victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. “We all complain about the challenges. It’s as transparent a process as possible. We all see the replay. We can all make adjustments. Sometimes you don’t agree with it, but for the most part, it’s right in your face. I think we just we’re better. I saw that graph this summer and I had the head coaches, and I look at the graph like, ‘Man, we were horrible.’ But our process wasn’t great. You left me crying, you got (Brandin Podziemski) crying and the whole thing. world says: ‘Challenge, challenge.’
“And in turn, we couldn’t create a good process. I think now, this year, there have been a couple where Steve said, ‘Draymond, no, don’t question that.'” I think we’re all doing a better job. It’s important because the reality is that it’s more important than whether you win or lose the challenge or not. It probably means that if we lose the challenges as we are, we all are. Being too emotional. We are all overwhelmed by what the referees say. I think it’s important for us as leaders to understand how to use them wisely. They are very important and can change the outcome of a game. “I think we’re doing a better job than last year.”
Podziemski was also asked about the success rate, to which he applauded Green for controlling his emotions better.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s a better process,” Podziemski said. “I think Draymond is better with his emotional reaction to some things and understanding, ‘OK, do we have a legitimate chance to make it?’ “I think he’s been really good at figuring it out.”
Whatever Green, Kerr and the Warriors are doing, it’s working. And they hope to maintain that success the rest of the way.