Steve Kerr Calls Out Warriors' Draymond Green Ahead of Game 4 vs. Timberwolves

The Warriors had several things go their way in Game 3 at the Chase Center on Saturday, enough, it could be argued, for them to have found a way to come up with a big win over the Timberwolves. Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga combined for 66 points, while the Warriors' defense mostly held down Minnesota's shooters, who made 43.9% of their shots in the game.

But with guard Stephen Curry out because of a hamstring injury, Golden State needed every sliver of advantage it could muster, And one player who struggled badly at the worst possible time was center Draymond Green, who fouled out after posting just two points and four assists, shooting 1-for-4 from the field and committing five turnovers. 

The Dubs lost, 102-97.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr was asked about Green ahead of Game 4, and quickly called out the deficiencies he saw--and his confidence that Green can turn them around. 

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and forward Draymond Green (23).

Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

"I thought he was in a little bit of a rush the other night," Kerr said. "He had the five turnovers. I thought we were a little careless with the ball in the first half. We have to set a better tone and Draymond can help us do that. He's our leader. He's going to handle the ball quite a bit with Steph out, and I've seen Draymond bounce back from tough games, a million times, I have no doubt he's going to do that.

"He's just got to be the guy who has won a lot of championships and won a lot of playoff games, and I'm sure he's going to be that guy tonight."

Kerr and Green have been together since Kerr came over to Golden State as the coach in 2014. Kerr reiterated that he has built up significant confidence in Green over the years, and is counting on him to not miss the end of the game with six fouls as he did in Game 3.

"He's been there a million times and he's the best defender in the league, and you're trying to get stops in the last four minutes of the game and Draymond Green is not out there," Kerr said. "You miss all of that. Hopefully he's there the last four tonight."