Draymond Green's impending return can't come soon enough for Warriors

Green's return to the court will be welcomed news for the Warriors. Steve Kerr's team has struggled throughout the first half of the season and currently sits 12th in the Western Conference, having lost 21 games as of this publishing. A significant part of the Warriors' struggles has been their porous defense. The team ranks 24th in the league for defensive rating, allowing 117.7 points per 100 possessions. Green's return to the rotation should solve some of those issues.

On defense, Green is a generational talent. He can see plays unfolding at a rapid pace and call out coverages, marshaling his teammates to the right spots. He is strong enough to switch up positions and guard opposing bigs, but also quick enough to slide down and defend wings and guards. He is also one of the most vocal leaders in the NBA. 

We have only seen Green in 15 games this season. Some of those missed contests came as he was recovering from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined during preseason. Others came after his first suspension of the season. In order for the veteran forward to make the biggest impact, the Warriors need Green to remain on the floor moving forward. He is too valuable to their roster and system to continually be out of the rotation.

Now that he is returning to the fold, Golden State has their championship-winning core intact. So, this is where we will find out if there is still life in an aging Warriors team or if they need to start looking at ways to improve their rotation. Either way, Green makes them a better team and his return comes at a time when the Warriors sorely need his leadership.