ESPN analyst who wanted Warriors to tank play-in now says they can beat Thunder

It's amazing what one Warriors win (albeit an incredible one) has done for the perspective of ESPN analyst, and former NBA player, Danny Green.

The 15-year veteran appeared on "SportsCenter" Friday to discuss just how far Golden State could go in this postseason ahead of their play-in matchup against the Suns, and Green had glowing praise for Steph Curry, Draymond Green and other notable names.

"If you can get additions from guys like Al Horford, [Gui] Santos and [Kristaps] Porzingis showing up the way they did, you have a really good shot to win a lot of your games, 'cause nobody on the scouting report prepares for that," Green said. "They can definitely, with their experience and their championship DNA with Draymond and Steph, and also playoff experience with those other guys, have an edge. They can also not only win this game, but I can see them winning a couple of games in that first round, too, if those guys show up."

But this was a different tune than what he sang Tuesday, before the Dubs' immaculate victory against the Clippers in Los Angeles. While he was on "NBA Today," he agreed with the idea that Golden State should tank its first-round play-in tournament game to secure better NBA Draft lottery odds.

"You're not beating the Thunder, not with this group, especially with Steph Curry on minutes restriction, also Al Horford, Porzingis," Green said. "... It's tough, they couldn't get Giannis, they tried to make some moves at the deadline, but, right now, they need to just focus on the future."

At the rate things are going, a Warriors win against the Phoenix Suns on Friday could very well have Green believing a championship could be on its way back to the Bay Area. Of course, the first step to that is Golden State actually punching a ticket to the playoffs in Phoenix.

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