Draymond Green Credits Andrew Bogut for Shaping His Career and the Warriors’ Dynasty

Draymond Green is widely regarded as one of the most influential players of his generation, a cornerstone of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty that captured four NBA championships between 2015 and 2022. Known for his versatility, leadership, and defensive prowess, Green revolutionized the role of the “small ball five,” allowing the Warriors to play a faster, more dynamic style of basketball that disrupted conventional notions of size and spacing. Yet in a recent interview on The Draymond Green Show, Green was quick to point out that his rise to prominence was not a solo effort. He credited his former teammate Andrew Bogut, now an assistant coach with the Sydney Kings, for shaping him into the player he became and helping lay the foundation for the Warriors’ success.

“Andrew Bogut is as valuable as anyone in my career,” Green said. “Andrew Bogut taught me how to play both post defense the first day I got to Golden State. He helped me understand different reads on the defensive end as good as anyone has taught me.”

Green’s remarks highlight the often overlooked but critical mentorship role that veteran players like Bogut provide to younger teammates. While Curry, Thompson, and Green often receive headlines for their individual contributions, the Warriors’ early success also relied on the guidance and basketball IQ of a center who could anchor a defense and teach fundamentals. Green emphasized that Bogut’s influence allowed him to become the defender, communicator, and floor general that he is today. “I was so lucky to come into an organization that had Andrew Bogut there to teach me the things that he taught me because it’s paid dividends in my career and allowed me to become the defender that I’ve become. I can never overstate enough how much he meant to the beginning of my career.”

Bogut, an Australian native and former first overall pick, was pivotal to the Warriors’ 2015 championship run, serving as a stabilizing presence in the middle of the floor. Green recalled the specific matchups against dominant centers of the era, like Dwight Howard, noting that Bogut’s defensive acumen provided the Warriors with a reliable anchor. “During that time, bigs were very valuable, and going into those series, we knew no matter what, at the five position, we were going to be solid because Bogut got him,” Green explained. He went further to stress the intangible contributions Bogut brought: leadership, calmness under pressure, and the ability to communicate effectively on the defensive end.

The 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers underscored just how critical Bogut was to Golden State’s success. Green recalled that Bogut suffered a fractured rib late in the series, forcing the Warriors to adjust their rotation at the last minute. “We needed Bogut in that series, but he had a fractured rib and he couldn’t go,” Green said. “When you lose a player in a series, trying to find that fifth guy can always be tough. As we didn’t have Bogut, we had to try to find the fifth guy to plug in, and we just didn’t really have enough time for the adjustment. No one ever really talks about Bogut being hurt and missing that Game 7 against Cleveland, but that was everything.”

This acknowledgment from Green provides a rare glimpse into the “what could have been” of the 2016 Finals. While many fans remember the Warriors’ heartbreaking loss in Game 7, the absence of Bogut—a player who had served as the defensive and communication anchor—likely played a decisive role in the outcome. Green’s perspective emphasizes that championships are often won not just by superstars but by the presence, preparation, and health of key supporting players. Bogut’s injury, in effect, may have tipped the balance in Cleveland’s favor.

Green’s reflections also touch on the broader concept of player development within successful organizations. While coaches and front-office decisions are crucial, mentorship from veteran teammates can accelerate a young player’s growth in ways that formal instruction cannot replicate. Bogut’s ability to teach Green post-defense reads, positioning, and decision-making on both ends of the floor laid the groundwork for Green to evolve into a multi-faceted star capable of leading the Warriors both defensively and emotionally. This mentorship translated directly into Golden State’s style of play, allowing them to implement small-ball lineups and positionless basketball with confidence.

Currently, Bogut has transitioned to coaching in his native Australia, serving as an assistant with the Sydney Kings. The Kings are performing well, sitting at 15-9 on the season, and Bogut continues to demonstrate the kind of basketball IQ and leadership that Green praised. The pair’s shared history is a reminder of how player legacies are often interconnected, with the contributions of one individual enabling the rise of another. Bogut’s influence on Green—and by extension, on the Warriors’ dynasty—cannot be overstated.

In summary, Draymond Green’s recent statements offer a thoughtful reminder that NBA success is rarely achieved in isolation. While stars like Curry and Green garner the spotlight, the mentorship and foundational work of players like Andrew Bogut are critical components of a championship team’s DNA. Bogut’s teaching not only elevated Green’s game but helped create the system and culture that allowed Golden State to dominate the NBA for nearly a decade. As the Warriors’ early dynasty is remembered, Bogut’s impact will remain an essential part of that story—an anchor both literally and figuratively for one of the most innovative teams in basketball history.

Bogut and the Kings will continue their 2026 HoopsFest campaign with a Round 17 matchup against Brisbane at RAC Arena, scheduled to tip off at 9:30 PM AEDT, live on ESPN. Even as he moves into coaching, his legacy as a teacher and mentor continues, with lessons that helped shape the career of one of the most versatile and intelligent players in the modern NBA.