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Why Draymond Green believes Warriors’ confidence starts with Steve Kerr

Why Draymond believes Warriors’ confidence starts with Kerr originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

It was a must-win situation for the Warriors heading into Game 5 on Wednesday night at the Chase Center and Golden State had little room for error, facing a 3-1 deficit to the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, the way the Warriors confidently approached the contest would lead many to believe that they weren’t playing in an elimination game.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Draymond Green stated that the Warriors’ confidence to face any situation starts with coach Steve Kerr.

“We have a coach who’s one of the greatest winners in NBA history,” Green said after the Warriors’ 121-106 Game 5 win over the Lakers. “And you lean on him in situations like this, his calmness, everyone feels that and then it starts up top, right [Steph Curry’s] calmness, and it goes on down the line.”

Furthermore, the 33-year-old, who registered a double-double (20 points and 10 rebounds) in the win, noted that simplifying their mindset is key whenever the team steers from how they usually want to play to regain that confidence.

“I think for us, anytime it’s kind of going astray, you just always lean back on what you know that works on your foundation,” Green continued. “And for us, it’s just getting back to the basics, but most importantly, competing at the highest level that we can compete at and we trust and believe in ourselves.”

RELATED: Anthony Davis exits Lakers-Warriors Game 5 in wheelchair with head injury

The series now shifts to Southern California, where the Lakers face the pressure of winning Game 6 against a confident Warriors squad Friday at Crypto.com Arena. Failing to do so will give Golden State more momentum heading into a winner-take-all Game 7.