For the third straight season, Draymond Green is a finalist for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Green has been named the runner-up for the award each of the past two seasons. Not this year, though. Green’s versatility and increased leadership contributed heavily to the Warriors once again being one of the top defensive teams in the league, and will result in the Warriors forward getting over the hump, winning the DPOY for the first time in his career.
For the first time in five seasons, Andrew Bogut was no longer starting at center for the Warriors, part of the roster overhaul that resulted in the acquisition of Kevin Durant. While it was Green who received DPOY votes during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, he was vocal in his support of Bogut, saying that he would not be the defender he was without the Australian big man.
Without the safety net of Bogut to back him up, and the three-headed monster of Stephen Curry, Durant, and Klay Thompson putting up big numbers on the offensive end, it was Green who was expected to carry a lot of the load defensively. That he did: Green’s 2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game helped the Warriors led the league in both categories.
Those critics (or angry tweeters) that call Green a system player simply don’t know basketball. Green is hardly the most athletic or quickest player on the floor at any given time, but his versatility is unmatched across the league. He can guard all five positions on the floor, and is constantly looking ahead, moving his teammates in positions to make momentum swinging plays. Green will go extended stretches matching up with and containing bigger and stronger centers. Green’s ability to play the 5 allows head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors to unleash the “death lineup” that has terrorized the league over the past three seasons.
Those who say that Green only succeeds because he plays on the Warriors have it wrong. In fact, it can be argued the Warriors succeed to such epic levels because they have Draymond Green.
Individually, Green’s stats back up the talk about him being so valuable on the defensive end. Green led the league in steals and in defensive win shares (.062), both of which helped the Warriors finish the 2016-17 season with the second highest defensive rating in the association. Earlier today, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the third time in his career.
Fair or not, voter fatigue may also help Green get the upper hand this year. After winning the award each of the past two seasons, Kawhi Leonard might not get the votes again to win it for a third straight time. Green has been the runner-up to Leonard each of the past two seasons, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see most voters to finally honor Green.
Green has been vocal in the past about what being named the Defensive Player of the Year would mean to him. Whether he comes home with the hardware tonight or not, Green will still be a 2017 NBA Champion. In the end, Green will tell you that is what matters to him most.
Regardless, this award belongs to nobody else but Draymond this year. Now is the time that he should be recognized by the NBA with an individual honor.