Draymond Green: His Case For Most Improved Player

Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green’s Case For Most Improved Player

November 13, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots the basketball against Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nets 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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January 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Marreese Speights (5) and forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 117-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Rim Protection

David Lee isn’t the only injured big Draymond Green picked up the slack for this season. When Andrew Bogut missed 12 games because of his ailing knees, the Dubs lost their best shot-blocker. Marreese Speights may have stepped into the starting rotation at center, but it was the 6’7″ Green who became this team’s primary rim protector with the big Aussie out.

Green is averaging 1.5 blocks per game on the season, which ranks him 13th in the league. But in those 12 games Bogut missed, Green harnessed his inner Hakeem Olajuwon and averaged 2.3 blocks per game while not only keeping Golden State’s league-leading defense intact, but perched at the top of the food chain.

He won’t be needed as much to be a rim protector now that Bogut is back, but how can we not talk about Green’s improvement as a defender without mentioning that this undersized power forward somehow locked down the paint for the Dubs with Bogut sidelined?

Next: Offense And Attitude

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