Draymond Green Says Kevin Durant's Injury Won't Change Warriors' Inspiration

The Golden State Warriors will be without Kevin Durant for the foreseeable future, but that hasn't changed the team's perspective on the rest of this season.Draymond Green, who has been the Warriors' vocal leader during this three-year run of success, said they aren't going to need more motivation as they go after another NBA championship."What is this, Game 61' If you're still looking for inspiration now, you're f--ked," Green said in an interview with ESPN.com'sChris Haynes.On Wednesday, the Warriors announced Durant suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain and tibial bone bruise during the first quarter of a game against the Washington Wizards that will keep him out indefinitely. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman reported Durant is expected back for the postseason, which begins on April 15.Upon hearing discussion around the NBA that the Cleveland Cavaliers are now being the best team, Green's response was about what would be expected."Who feel like that'" Green said, per Haynes. "...Did the majority ever matter' ...All right, so why would they matter now'I'm just saying, has the majority ever mattered' No. It doesn't. It never has. It never will. So, you know, they haven't mattered before, why are they going to matter now'"The Warriors' concerns don't start until the playoffs. They have already clinched a postseason berth and hold a 3.5-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.Even with Durant on the sidelines, the Warriors still boast a starting lineup that features, Green, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The addition of Durant last summer did take a bite out of their depth with Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes no longer on the team.Addressing the differences between the rosters from the past two seasons, Green noted,"it's not the same team as last year by any means," but added the Warriors are"looking at it as one man has gone down and another man has to step up. That's it."Because of how things ended last season for the Warriors, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, and by virtue of having the best record in the NBA again this season, they will be under an intense microscope come playoff time.Durant's injury may change the way fans and analysts view Golden State from the outside, but the locker room appears to be taking things in stride, hoping the former NBA MVP will be back on the court in time to help the franchise win its second championship in three years.
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