by Why Draymond vs. KD is a matchup to watch when the Warriors take on the Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Kevin Durant returned to the Phoenix lineup this week after missing seven games with a calf injury, and his shooting looks so smooth that it’s tempting to suggest the Warriors will be powerless to defend him on Saturday when they will face the Suns for the first time this season.
At 6-foot-11, Durant towers over everyone in Golden State’s rotation. He has the handle of an elite guard, is a natural mid-range shooter and his exquisite range is why he is shooting 44.1 percent from deep this season.
The Warriors’ defensive options are limited. They are Draymond Green, Kyle Anderson, Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II – and the latter two are listed as probable. Kuminga has a lingering illness and GP2 has right adductor tightness.
Andrew Wiggins would normally be the fifth option, but he is listed as questionable (right ankle impingement). Even if he is cleared, he will likely be assigned to Suns shooting guard Devin Booker.
Green won’t be the only defender Durant sees, but no one offers Golden State’s best containment chance. Draymond is a superior defender who effectively guards all five positions.
Additionally, Green is the only Warrior with significant practice time against Durant. They were teammates for three seasons in Golden State. KD is one of the purest scorers of all time. Most coaches want to bore him and make him frustrated. Green, giving up five inches of height, is aware of this and will use this strategy.
GP2, dropping nine inches in height, would follow a similar plan. Become a relentless pest. Doc Rivers, then coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, resorted to this plan when he gave 6-foot-2 Patrick Beverley a few moves against Durrant in the 2019 playoffs against Golden State.
Kuminga gives up four inches to KD but offers athleticism that could pose a challenge. The problem is that Durant, 36, will be eager to teach the youngster some lessons.
Anderson, who stands 6-foot-9, has a wingspan two inches shorter than Durant’s 7-foot-5. He can’t match KD’s athleticism, but he’s crafty enough to draw from his bag of tactics to make things as difficult as possible.
Durant was a first-ballot Hall of Famer five years ago. With his combination of length and offensive skills, he is arguably the toughest cover in the NBA.
Even if the Warriors rely on a parade of defenders against Durant, they will still need a little luck.
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