Draymond Green Agrees with Steph: The Warriors Are “Very Mid” This Season – “It’s a Hard Thing to Accept”
The Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA landscape for nearly a decade, with their innovative style of play and a core led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. This trio, known for their incredible shooting, basketball IQ, and defensive prowess, has delivered four NBA championships since 2015, becoming one of the most successful and widely respected teams in NBA history. Yet, in the 2024-2025 season, things are not looking as smooth as they once did.
In a recent press conference, both Draymond Green and Stephen Curry have openly acknowledged the Warriors’ struggles this season. Green, known for his outspoken nature, agreed with Curry’s sentiment that the Warriors are “very mid” (middle-of-the-pack). The team, which has been accustomed to finishing at the top of the standings in the West, now finds themselves struggling to find consistent success. With underwhelming performances, injuries, and increasing competition from younger, more dynamic teams, the Warriors are not where they expected to be at this point in the season.
This article will dive into Draymond Green’s reflections on the Warriors’ current season, the factors behind their “mid” status, and the challenges the team faces as they try to reclaim their place among the elite in the Western Conference. We’ll also explore the implications of their struggles and what it means for the future of the franchise, especially with an aging core and the looming trade deadline.
The “Mid” Warriors: A Self-Aware Team
The term “mid” has taken on a life of its own in basketball vernacular, often used to describe teams that are good but not great—teams that can hang around the playoff picture but aren’t truly championship contenders. For the Warriors, a team that is used to competing for titles every season, hearing that label from their two most important players speaks volumes about the team’s current state.
Stephen Curry, in a previous interview, described the team as “very mid,” a blunt assessment of the Warriors’ performance. Curry, typically known for his optimism and confidence, didn’t mince words when addressing the team’s struggles. He pointed to the inconsistency in their play, which has been evident throughout the season. Whether it’s defensive lapses, turnovers, or missed opportunities on offense, the Warriors have not played with the same level of dominance that defined their championship runs.
Draymond Green, ever the vocal leader, echoed Curry’s sentiments. Green is known for his fiery competitiveness and his ability to keep his teammates grounded, so hearing him agree that the team’s performance is not up to their usual standard carries significant weight. He acknowledged that accepting this reality is difficult for a team accustomed to high expectations. However, both Green and Curry recognize that this is the current state of the Warriors, and it’s something that must be addressed if they want to remain competitive.
In a season where they were hoping to continue building on their past success, the Warriors have instead found themselves battling mediocrity. This honest acknowledgment from the team’s leaders reflects the frustration they’re feeling but also their awareness of the need to adapt and overcome. The challenge now is to determine how to turn things around.
Injuries and Lack of Depth: Key Factors Behind the Struggles
One of the main reasons behind the Warriors’ “mid” performance this season is the ongoing struggle with injuries. Injuries have plagued this team for several years, with key players like Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry both missing significant time in recent seasons. While Thompson has returned to form after his recovery from two major injuries, his return has not been the panacea the Warriors were hoping for.
Thompson, once one of the most lethal shooters in the NBA, has shown flashes of his former self, but he is not yet the consistent force he once was. With the Warriors relying heavily on their perimeter shooting, Thompson’s inconsistency has hurt the team’s ability to create open shots and spread the floor the way they’re used to.
Curry, though still playing at an MVP-caliber level, has also had to battle his own injury issues. Whether it’s nagging ankle problems or minor issues that have sidelined him for stretches, Curry has not been able to stay fully healthy for an extended period of time. This has forced the Warriors to rely more on their younger players, some of whom are still developing and lack the consistency needed for a team with championship aspirations.
Additionally, Kevon Looney, the Warriors’ starting center, has dealt with injuries that have hindered his ability to protect the paint and contribute on offense. Looney, a key defensive piece for Golden State, has been inconsistent, and his struggles have been amplified by the Warriors’ need for more scoring and versatility.
In past seasons, the Warriors’ depth has been one of their greatest assets. But this year, the lack of a reliable bench has been glaring. The emergence of Jordan Poole and Moses Moody as potential scoring threats has not been enough to provide the necessary depth, and the team has often been forced to rely on a small rotation of players. This lack of depth has hurt the Warriors’ ability to sustain consistent play over the course of the season.
Defensive Struggles: A Departure from Past Excellence
For years, the Golden State Warriors were known not only for their explosive offense but also for their stifling defense. Led by Draymond Green, one of the NBA’s best defenders, the Warriors have been one of the league’s most well-rounded teams. However, this season has seen significant struggles on the defensive end.
Draymond Green, though still an elite defender, has seen a dip in his defensive impact. He has often had to compensate for a lack of perimeter defense, and his ability to anchor the Warriors’ defense has not been as effective as in previous years. The team’s defensive lapses have allowed opponents to score at will, and the Warriors have not been able to lock down teams as they did during their championship runs.
Moreover, the Warriors’ defensive issues are not just about individual performance. There has been a general lack of cohesion on that side of the ball, with players not always being in the right positions, failing to communicate, and not closing out on shooters effectively. This lack of defensive consistency has made it difficult for Golden State to maintain leads and close out games.
The Role of Young Players: A Mixed Bag
The Warriors’ young players, including James Wiseman, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga, were expected to be key contributors this season, providing the team with the depth and versatility needed for a deep playoff run. However, these young players have been inconsistent and have not been able to provide the stability the Warriors need.
Wiseman, once the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has struggled to find his role on the team. Despite showing flashes of potential, his lack of development has been a point of frustration. The Warriors’ decision to rely on him as a backup center has not panned out, as he has failed to provide the rebounding and rim protection they hoped for.
Moody and Kuminga, on the other hand, have shown more promise but have not been able to consistently contribute in a meaningful way. While both players have the talent to be important contributors in the future, they have not yet reached the level needed for the Warriors to rely on them during a championship push.
The inconsistency of the young players has forced Golden State to lean more heavily on their veterans, including Curry, Thompson, and Green. While this has kept the Warriors competitive, it also highlights the need for the team’s young players to develop quickly if the Warriors are to maintain their championship aspirations in the years to come.
The Trade Deadline: A Pivotal Moment for the Warriors
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Golden State Warriors find themselves in a difficult position. With a team full of aging stars and inconsistent younger players, they must decide whether to make a move to address their weaknesses or to trust their existing roster to turn things around.
The Warriors are likely to explore options to improve their bench depth and shore up their defense, possibly targeting a player who can contribute immediately and help them become a more complete team. If the Warriors decide to make a trade, they will have to weigh the potential benefits of acquiring a veteran piece versus the long-term development of their younger players.
Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, and the rest of the Warriors know that time is running out on their current window. With each passing season, the pressure to win another championship increases, and the “very mid” Warriors will need to make some difficult decisions if they are to get back on track and remain one of the NBA’s elite teams.
Conclusion: A Hard Reality for the Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are in a tough spot this season, and Draymond Green’s acknowledgment of the team’s struggles is a sobering reminder that even the best teams can experience down years. While the Warriors’ core remains talented and their championship pedigree cannot be overlooked, the team must address their weaknesses, including injuries, defense, and depth, if they are to return to the heights of their previous success.
The Warriors’ path forward will not be easy, but with a leader like Draymond Green and the brilliance of Stephen Curry, there’s still hope for this team to turn things around. However, as Green said, it’s a hard thing to accept. The reality is that the Warriors are not the same dominant force they once were, and their future success will depend on how they navigate this period of uncertainty. The trade deadline may hold the key to their future, but whether it’s enough to elevate them back to championship contention remains to be seen.
