SAN FRANCISCO — When the Golden State Warriors’ decision-makers did an audit of their previous season this past summer, they uncovered several areas in need of correction. One of the smaller-scale must-fixes brought to the attention of Warriors coach Steve Kerr and his veteran players: Challenge success rate.
“We were dead last,” Kerr said.
In the 2023-24 season, the Warriors challenged 44 calls in 82 games. The original ruling was overturned only 14 times. That 31.8 percent success rate was 30th in the NBA. The league average was 59.2 percent. Only two teams besides the Warriors — the lottery-bound Portland Trail Blazers and Detroit Pistons — were even below 50 percent and both were only a tick under. Half the teams in the league were 60 percent or above.
Unacceptable was the message from up-top. There is nothing wrong with a risky and ultimately unsuccessful challenge at a consequential time, but the organization collectively felt the players and staff were being too loose and too hazardous with their choices and failing far too often, as shown through that league-worst data.
“I saw that graphic this summer,” Draymond Green said. “It had the head coaches and it had Steve way (down) somewhere. I’m looking at the graphic, like, ‘Man, we were awful.’ But our process wasn’t great.”
What was the issue?
“You got me out there crying,” Green said. “(Brandin Podziemski) out there crying, everyone yelling: ‘Challenge! Challenge!’ We weren’t able to create a good process.”
Assistant coach Jacob Rubin sits on the second row of the bench. When a controversial call is made — particularly ones carrying outward competitive significance — he watches the replay as quickly as possible on the tablet with the coaches around him. Rubin is ultimately assigned to give Kerr the green light or red light.
But it often isn’t that simple in the heat of the moment, especially when Green is involved and lobbying for a review. Green usually comes steaming over to the bench, right hand waving in the air, demanding that this injustice must be corrected. If he’s adamant enough, Kerr will sometimes just call the timeout and signal for it before a more pragmatic, film-reviewed green light is given.
“I don’t necessarily think it (has been) a better process,” Podziemski said. “I think Draymond (has been) better with his emotional reactions to some things and kinda understands, ‘OK, do we have a legitimate shot at it?’ I think he’s been really good at deciphering it.”
It’s early. The Warriors have only played five games. But they’ve already challenged five calls and four of them have been overturned — 80 percent. All five have been foul calls on Green. He has lobbied for the review all five times. He was correct four times in a row before Green and Kerr got a little greedy later in their blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night and tried for a fifth on what seemed to be an obvious foul.
“Ride the hot hand,” Kerr said postgame. “The way he played, sometimes you just take one to back your guy up.”
The Warriors’ first challenge of the season came in Utah against the Jazz. Green had been terrific against Lauri Markkanen, holding him down to what would eventually be a 4-of-17 shooting night. But to survive at Green’s size defensively, he must be physical without fear of foul trouble.
In the third quarter, he picked up his fourth on a questionable call. He told the bench it was a miss from the referees. Kerr felt it was a high-leverage moment. If the call stood, he’d probably have to pull Green. They challenged it and won.
“I think we’re being a little more conscientious,” Kerr said. “But at the same time, if Draymond or Steph (Curry) is going to pick up his fourth foul and it’s questionable, it’s a great time to challenge it.”
The next two games, that nearly exact situation presented itself again. Green picked up a fourth foul in the third quarter against both the LA Clippers and Pelicans. He lobbied. Rubin, Kerr and the staff went for it. Officials agreed they made a mistake, switching a block to a charge and deeming a touch foul not enough contact.
“This year, there’s been a couple where Steve has been like: ‘Draymond?’” Green said. “I’m like, ‘Nah, don’t challenge that one.’ I’ve seen BP a couple times (do the same). I think we’re all doing a better job.”
Here is a clip of the fourth-straight successful challenge from Kerr. It came late in the second quarter Wednesday when the Pelicans were still within reach. Green had two fouls. He mirrored Zion Williamson on the drive. He contested the shot and seemed to get a piece of the ball. The official whistled, signaling that Green got Williamson on the arm. He went right to the bench asking for a review. It was his third foul. Kerr went for it.
The overturned call took two free throws away from Williamson on what was morphing into a frustrating night for him. It kept Green at two fouls heading into halftime, allowing him to be more physical to open the third quarter. The successful challenge also meant the Warriors held an extra challenge for later. If you win the first, you get a second. If you lose it, you don’t — an extra layer of risk considering how consequential an overturned call can be late in a close game.
“It’s bigger than whether you win or lose the challenge,” Green said. “If we’re losing challenges the way we were (last season), it probably means we were all being overly emotional, we were all being overly consumed with what the referees were calling. It’s important for us as leaders to know to use them wisely. They’re very important. They can change the outcome of the game. We’re doing a better job.”
It’s extremely early in the season, but the improved challenge success rate is a small piece of what has been a more disciplined, better defensive approach in general, led by a focused and controlled Green. The Warriors have the league’s second-best defensive rating entering the weekend and have held two opponents under 90 points.
Here is Green in the sealing sequence of their fourth win, bottling up Williamson, who finished 5-of-20 shooting. Not many people can get him to shoot a flailing hook with such little force.
Then here is Green a bit later, standing in Williamson’s direct line in semi-transition before recovering over to the wing to block a Brandon Ingram 3.
“Draymond has a unique ability to be physical without fouling,” Kerr said. “He’s so smart. He knows the angles. He knows how to use his strength and long arms. He’s an incredible shot challenger.”
Green has his eyes on another NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy or at least a return into the conversation, even at age 34.
“I spent all summer listening to people talk about Chet (Holmgren) and (Victor Wembanyama) and what they’re doing defensively,” Green said. “Don’t forget about Dray.”
Draymond Green: “I spent all summer listening to people talk about Chet and Wemby and what they’re doing defensively. Don’t forget about Dray.” pic.twitter.com/HBLf7EE9LK
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 31, 2024
Challenge success rate won’t be a part of Green’s ultimate postseason-award argument. It’ll be based on counting stats, availability, clutch defensive moments and the Warriors’ win total and overall defensive ranking. But it’s clear that a disciplined approach to challenging foul calls signals to them a healthier state of the entire operation.
“I don’t like replay,” Kerr said. “Me and you could look at the same play 10 times and come to a disagreement on if it was a foul. Same with the refs. I’m not a big fan of replay. But it’s important for us to improve on it.”
Draymond Green details Jerry Stackhouse’s impact as a defensive coordinator. Mentions the level of accountability and Stackhouse’s grading system that has players upping their competitive level. pic.twitter.com/Deh1vqmYCy
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 31, 2024
(Photo of Draymond Green: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
