Golden State Warriors: Midseason Team Awards
DPOY: Draymond Green
Like Speights, I’ve already covered Draymond Green’s candidacy for one of the NBA’s league-wide individual awards, this one being the Defensive Player of the Year. On a team with Andrew Bogut, that may seem surprising, but Green has easily been his team’s best defender halfway through the season.
The Dubs are the best defense in the NBA, holding opponents to 100.2 points per 100 possessions. Green leads the league in defensive rating (96.1) and defensive win shares (3.0), while also averaging 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. For a 6’7″ guy who’s always been pegged as a “tweener,” his emergence as a rim protector has been unbelievable.
When Andrew Bogut was sidelined, Green was the glue that held Golden State’s league-best defense intact. He’s capable of guarding four positions and provides the attitude and confidence this teams needs.
He gives great post-game interviews. He talks s**t to James Harden when anybody dares talk question his team. He throws grapes at Seattle Seahawks fans when they talk crap to his teammate Stephen Curry. Could he be anymore endearing to sports fans in the Bay Area for the way he defends even his own team?
Hell, he even stuck his tongue out at Blake Griffin. He’s like Lance Stephenson, only if Lance Stephenson weren’t a detriment to his team and could defend almost every player on the court. This is an offensive play below, but Green’s post-bucket celebration pretty much tells you all you need to know about him.
Ride your pony to that DPOY award, Draymond.
Next: Warriors Most Improved Player Of The Year