Jalen Duren, Draymond Green
Draymond Green did not hold back when discussing one of the NBA’s rising big men, and his latest comments quickly turned heads across the league. After a recent matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons, Green made it clear that Jalen Duren has reached another level, especially when it comes to physical dominance.
The Pistons secured a 115-101 win on March 20, and Duren played a major role in that result, per Albat. He finished with 23 points and six rebounds, consistently controlling the paint on both ends. His presence stood out, not just in the box score, but in how he imposed his will against a veteran team.
Green addressed that impact directly via his podcast, offering one of the strongest endorsements possible from a player known for his own physicality and defensive edge.
“I tell y’all what, man, Jalen Duren has got to be one of the strongest guys I’ve ever played in my career,” Green said. “I spoke a while back about him being strong coming into the league, but not really knowing how to use that strength. He wasn’t soft, he just didn’t know how to apply it. Well, three, four years later, he’s by far the strongest player in the NBA. Dude’s strong as hell, and he knows how to use it now.”
That statement set the tone. It highlighted not just raw strength, but growth, something Green made sure to emphasize.
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Draymond Green says Jalen Duren is the strongest player in the NBA
“I tell y’all what man, Jalen Duren’s got to be one of the strongest guys I’ve ever played in my career. I spoke a while back about Jalen Duren being strong coming into the league but not really knowing how to
Draymond Green Points to Duren’s Growth
Green’s comments went beyond praise, they traced a clear evolution. Early in his career, Duren had the tools but lacked the refined approach. Now, that gap has closed.
Duren has turned physical gifts into production. He finishes through contact, establishes position early, and controls space in ways that shift entire possessions. Against the Warriors, those traits showed up repeatedly. He did not just compete, he dictated.
That development has not gone unnoticed inside Detroit either. The Pistons rely on Duren’s ability to anchor the interior, whether that means scoring inside or protecting the rim. His consistency has started to define their identity.
Duren acknowledged Green’s words and the journey behind them.
“For him to recognize my game and see the growth in it, means a lot to me,” Duren said.
Physical Edge Shows in Key Moments
Duren’s strength has translated into moments that extend beyond standard play. In a recent game against the Charlotte Hornets, that physical edge became impossible to ignore.
During a third-quarter sequence, contact in the paint escalated into a confrontation. Duren and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate exchanged words and physical contact, leading to multiple ejections that also included Miles Bridges and Isaiah Stewart. Hornets head coach Charles Lee received an ejection as well after arguing from the sideline.
Despite the chaos, one detail stood out. When Diabate broke free from those holding him back and approached Duren again, the Pistons big man did not react with panic. He stayed composed, almost unfazed, carrying a quiet confidence in the moment.
That demeanor mirrors what Green described. Strength, in this case, goes beyond physical force. It shows in control, in presence, and in how a player handles pressure when the game shifts.
Duren continues to build that reputation with each performance. If Green’s assessment holds, the league may already have its answer when it comes to the strongest player on the floor.