Draymond Green Discusses Return to Warriors: 'I Don't Look at Myself as Some Savior'

The Golden State Warriors are a disappointing 18-21 on the season and went 8-8 in the games that Draymond Green missed (12 due to suspension and four in his ramping-up process after being reinstated by the league).

Green is set to return to game action on Monday night, but he doesn't expect his return to be a magical elixir for a middling Warriors team.

"Nothing ever just flips," he told ESPN's Kendra Andrews. "I don't look at myself as some savior, like this is going to save our defense or anything like that. I think I can help with communication. And like with everything else, it's contagious."

Green's latest suspension came after he struck Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić in the face with a flailing arm, a move that very much appeared to be intentional.

He was also suspended for five games in November for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a chokehold during a scuffle between the teams, and he's been ejected three times in total this season.

For Green, controlling his emotions in the heat of the moment is going to be key.

"You can't stage these things that happen. They just happen on the fly," he told Andrews. "For me, I just have to be ready to react. That doesn't mean I'm not going to be there for my teammates, that's all I know how to do, too. Just got to make sure I react in the proper way."

The Warriors have actually struggled with Green on the floor this season, getting outscored by 6.7 points per 100 possessions when he plays, per NBA.com, compared to posting a 0.2 net rating when he sits.

And there are questions about whether Jonathan Kuminga's playing time will take a hit with Green returning. The pair aren't a great fit together, given that neither are solid perimeter shooters, but in Green's absence Kuminga has averaged a solid 15.5 points per game and most recently put up 24 points in a win over the Chicago Bulls and 28 points in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

But deference will be given to Green upon his return, given his playmaking on the offensive side of the ball and his impact as the team's defensive fulcrum. He should provide a much-needed jolt for a Warriors team looking to salvage its season.

"These guys have been through enough," Green said. "The energy has been waning. If I can bring that energy, hopefully, guys can feed off that."