'Just no pride': Draymond Green weighs in on Warriors woes

Despite the return of defensive anchor Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors lost 116-107 on Monday to an injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies team playing without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. Golden State's defense flopped, allowing 20 three-pointers and committing 25 fouls, which led to 40 free-throw attempts. 

"We can't guard nobody," Green said after the embarrassment. "Until we guard, we'll lose." 

Per Cleaning The Glass, the Warriors give up 118.3 points per 100 possessions, 23rd in the NBA. However, since Dec. 1, Golden State (18-22) has the third-worst defense in the league, with a defensive rating of 121.4. Only the Detroit Pistons (4-36) and Washington Wizards (7-32) have a worse defensive rating during that same period.

"[You] just got to have pride in yourself as a man that I'm not going to let my guy score," Green said. "Our closeouts were too soft. Our rotations were too slow. There's just no pride, and until every guy takes pride in themselves and wants to stop the guy in front of them, we'll suck."

During Golden State's dynasty, defense was a hallmark of the team's success. Regardless of their offensive production, the Warriors consistently showed their competitive edge on defense. This was particularly evident during the magical 2021-2022 run when they boasted the NBA's top defensive rating at 106.9, tied with the Boston Celtics. 

The decline in the Warriors' once-elite defensive capabilities is a multifaceted issue. 

One critical factor is the decline of Andrew Wiggins who was once hailed as one of the league's premier point-of-attack defenders. Additionally, Green, at 33, is evidently past his athletic prime. While he's still an All-NBA-level defender, he no longer poses the same threat as a rim protector as he did in his heyday. The team also lacks size and two-way talent. All these factors paint a picture of a team struggling to gain a defensive identity. 

For Golden State to improve, the defensive issues must be addressed. To jump-start the team, the front office has no choice but to make a trade before the Feb. 8 deadline. 

Green is right. Until the Warriors play consistent defense, they will continue spiraling downward in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. If they don't improve on defense, Golden State risks missing the playoffs for the third time in five seasons.