Golden State Warriors star defensive maestro Draymond Green believes he deserves another Defensive Player for the Year award.
After his impressive outing in Tuesday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, Green made his case on the court and campaigned for himself postgame.
"Obviously, if we keep winning and close this year out strong, most definitely," Green said when asked if he thinks he has a case to be named the league's best defender. "I look around the league and don't see many players impacting the game on the defensive end the way I do. I don't see many players completely throwing off an entire team's offense the way I do. One thousand percent.
Green didn't stop there. He also added how the absence of Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has helped his cause.
"Especially with Wemby going down, seemed like he had it won. And now it is right there. So 1 million percent I have a case, and I will continue to build that case for these next 13 games. Tonight was a prime example of that."
Wembanyama is ruled out for the rest of the season due to blood clots in his right shoulder.
Green was phenomenal in Tuesday's contest against the Bucks. As the primary defender on two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, he held him to 0-of-6 shooting in over seven minutes as the primary defender. Green ended the game with a block underneath the basket on Antetokounmpo.
While Green will certainly be in the conversation, he has some steep competition. Other players in the running are Cleveland's Evan Mobley, Atlanta's Dyson Daniels, Memphis' Jaren Jackson Jr., the LA Clippers' Ivica Zubac, and Oklahoma City's Luguentz Dort.
If you ask Green's teammates, or coaches, it's a no-brainer that he belongs in the conversation or should be considered the favorite.
"Draymond, that defense tonight on Giannis was incredible," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Green. "To hold him to five field goals, Draymond showed why he is still one of the great defenders in the world. It wasn't just the defense; it was the leadership, the energy."
Green last won the award in the 2016-17 season.
The Warriors have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last month. They are 15-4 since Feb. 6 and are ranked sixth in offensive rating and second in defensive rating.
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This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM.