NBA Rumors: Golden State Warriors Draymond Green Eye Boston Celtics Trade; Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson lose PF

Mar 16, 2016 12:16 PM EDT

The Golden State Warriors are on fire this NBA season. Apart from taking the top spot in the Western Conference, the Stephen Curry squad is also in the running to break the Chicago Bulls' 72-game winning streak. Given their explosive performance in the hardwood court, even Michael Jordan himself encouraged the Golden State Warriors to snag the accomplishment. However, fans wonder if the Andrew Bogut squad would be as impressive if the Boston Celtics chose differently in 2012.

Sources claim that the Jae Crowder squad almost signed Draymond Green during the NBA draft in 2012. Reports are now surfacing that the Boston Celtics listed the Michigan State University alum at number three in their draft list at the time. However, things did not pan out and Green eventually went to the Golden State Warriors as the 35th round pick that year. Now, the 26-year-old is recognized as one of the most formidable leaders in the top squad alongside Klay Thompson and Curry.

"It's already clear Draymond Green is one of the biggest steals in NBA draft history, going No. 35 to the Warriors in 2012," said Matt Dollinger of Sports Illustrated. He added, "Every NBA team passed on the Michigan State product, but at least one team did have him high on their draft board. Brian Scalabrine said Celtics assistant GM Mike Zarren showed him the team's 2012 draft board, which had Green in the top three. The other two? Anthony Davis and Jared Sullinger, who the C's selected with the 21st pick."

Green's leadership was once again in full display in the Golden State Warriors' game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The said match up saw the Harrison Barnes team struggle to take on the Anthony Davis squad. Hence, Green took it upon himself to encourage his teammates and lead more aggressive plays in the hardwood court. The Golden State Warriors won the match 125-107.

"Draymond was brilliant," said Steve Kerr via CSN Bay Area. He added, "His decision-making, his defense, just the way he organized us. He's taking on some of that role with Andre out. He gave a little comment at halftime to our guys about our defensive activity that was really important. And the guys responded."

When asked to comment on the message of Green during the halftime, NBA MVP Curry shared a summary. He said, "It was basically for us to get more aggressive. To use our talents and quickness and IQ as a team, defensively, to our advantage, to not be so cut-and-dry, vanilla with our coverages and stuff. Take some chances, have each other's backs and rotate."

Curry added, "That's when we're at our best, when we can create chaos on that end of the floor."