Warriors’ Steve Kerr doesn’t need Draymond Green to score more: ‘I don’t care’

Draymond Green scored two points Thursday. Steve Kerr sounds perfectly willing to live with that.

The Warriors coach has other priorities for Green, whose move primarily to center has made his defense and playmaking more important than his shot total.

“I really don’t care,” Kerr told reporters before the win over the Heat, via Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle⁠. “I don’t think Draymond’s shot attempts, offensive aggression for this team, is a barometer, like maybe it has been the last couple years.”

Green supplied a useful example in the 120-100 victory, finishing with 11 assists and helping the Warriors contain Giannis Antetokounmpo. Golden State has won six straight after opening 0-3.

Stephen Curry scored 29 points. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg added 17, eight rebounds and six assists. With others providing offense, Green can concentrate on organizing things at both ends.

“Because of Yaxel, Dray’s basically our 5 this year,” Kerr said. “And only a few times have we played him at the 4. And I think, as a result, he’s much more of a playmaker.”

The bigger test is whether that arrangement holds up defensively against teams with size. With Kristaps Porzingis unavailable, the Warriors need Green to handle difficult assignments and keep everyone else connected.

“Being able to have him out there against Giannis makes me sleep a lot better going into the game,” Kerr said, “knowing that he’s going to be there directing traffic and getting people into the right spots. I mean, he’s still a brilliant defender.”

Green had help Thursday from Al Horford and Charles Bassey, with Antetokounmpo finishing with 20 points and just one in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors will need that shared effort over a full season. But Green’s scoring average isn’t what concerns Kerr. If he’s creating shots for teammates and making opponents work for theirs, two points can be plenty.