Warriors’ Green out to prove worthy of Olympic roster spot

When USA Basketball finalizes its roster for next summer's Olympics in Brazil, there will be no shortage of players who can score.

But there will be a need for someone who can rebound and defend, someone who can make a play that may not necessarily show up on the score sheet.

Is Draymond Green that someone?

The 6-foot-7-inch forward for the world champion Golden State Warriors does all those things and also can score. It's why the 25-year-old who is headed into his fourth NBA season was invited to Team USA's Las Vegas minicamp this week.

The staff wants to get to know Green after he spent last summer as a member of the Select team that helped get Team USA ready to win the World Cup in Spain and automatically qualify for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"I just want to be that guy who does everything to help his team," Green said after Tuesday's 90-minute light workout at UNLV's Mendenhall Center. "I want to be the guy with the intangibles who can help his team win.

"Obviously, there's going to be roles on this team. I'm not expected to come in here and score 20 points. We've got guys who can do that. I want to do all the little stuff — get the rebound, set the screen, dive on the floor and come up with a loose ball, be a defensive stopper, whatever they want me to do."

That's what Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball chairman and national team managing director, sees when Green's name comes up for discussion.

"We like a lot of things about Draymond Green," Colangelo said. "He's not intimidated by anything. He's certainly developed his shot. He can play different spots on the floor and guard different positions.

"As you know, versatility is very important on this team — we only have 12 spots — so anyone who can do more than one thing is someone we're interested in."

But with just the 12 spots available and Green's lack of equity with the national team program, his task might be more difficult than for others who have been with USA Basketball longer.

"I know it's going to be tough," Green said. "There's a lot of great players here. But I'm always up for a challenge, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make this team.

"It's definitely motivation for me heading into the season. We want to repeat (with Golden State). But to make this team is motivation on a whole other level. I'm just going to continue to do what I do, keep trying to get better and hopefully everything plays out the way I want it to."

There are 34 players in minicamp, and with no contact in any drills and Thursday's Blue-White scrimmage essentially a hands-off affair, Green's physical presence will not be in evidence during the team's three-day stay in Las Vegas. But Colangelo said what he saw of Green during the past two seasons with the Warriors is enough of a resume.

"He's earned his way here," Colangelo said. "We'll continue to watch him during the (NBA) season and follow his progress. This week is about us getting to know him as a person and how he fits in with the others."

Said Green, who averaged 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists last season and was rewarded with a five-year, $85 million contract extension this offseason: "It's a chance to be part of the family. In eight or nine years, this has gone from being an all-star team to a close-knit family. That's what Coach K (head coach Mike Krzyzewski) and Mr. Colangelo have done. They've built a great organization. You're just trying to get to know everyone and show them what kind of person you are and get ready for next year.

"All the teams overseas have been together for eight, nine or 10 years. Every time there's a World Cup or an Olympics, you're adding players, so there's going to be old guys leaving and new guys coming in, so you've got to build that camaraderie, which is what they've done here (with Team USA). We have that now."

When it comes to camaraderie, Green might have a leg up on others. Warriors teammates Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes are in Las Vegas this week, and while they ultimately will be competing against each other for a spot on the Team USA Olympic roster, Green said it's comforting to have his teammates out there with him.

"We're always going to have that bond," he said. "We're together nine, 10 months, so that bond is always there. But we're all competing for one team — USA Basketball.

"But it's comfortable to be around guys you know and like. It makes it more fun. None of us takes this for granted. We know just to be here is special."

Green said the Warriors' title-clinching 105-97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 on June 16 at Quicken Loans Arena, in which he posted a triple-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, will be a memory for a lifetime.

"It was a great feeling to be able to share that moment with my teammates," he said. "We set a goal at the beginning of the year to win a championship and to celebrate at the end of the year, and to bring a championship back to the city of Oakland was very rewarding. They've been waiting a long time."

Green said he appreciated coach Steve Kerr utilizing him the way he did, playing him in different spots in different situations.

"He really opened the floor up for me and allowed me to show everything I can do," Green said. "Whether it's playmaking, pushing the ball, playing in the half court, setting screens, it allowed me to do everything. And when the floor opens up like that for me, I'm able to use my quickness to my advantage.

"When you stretch the floor like that and with the shooters we have, it makes it a lot easier."

Green said he's hoping to create more memories by being part of a gold medal ceremony in Rio a year from now.

"It's the greatest an honor a player can have, and this is very important to me," he said. "You've got soldiers overseas fighting for us and veterans who have served who are back home. This is a chance for me to do my duty for my country. That's why I want to be a part of this so badly."

* NOTES — LeBron James, Chandler Parsons and Paul George were the only players missing among the 34 scheduled to be on the floor Tuesday. James and Parsons were excused because of a prior engagement and both are expected at practice today. George was with the team Monday at Wynn Las Vegas and was given permission to return to Indianapolis to fulfill a commitment for the Pacers. "They're fine and in good standing," Colangelo said. "No problem." ... Today's workout at the Mendenhall Center will be shorter than Tuesday's — probably an hour — as the minicamp adheres to its strict no-contact environment. The practice is closed to the public.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him: @stevecarprj