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Golden State Warriors: 5 Takeaways From Crazy Game 3

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores on a three point basket over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Quincy Pondexter (20) during the final seconds of the fourth quarter sending the game into overtime in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-119 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores on a three point basket over New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Quincy Pondexter (20) during the final seconds of the fourth quarter sending the game into overtime in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-119 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Draymond Green Should Have Won DPOY

Look, I have nothing against Kawhi Leonard. If Draymond Green were to get snubbed, I’m glad it was someone as deserving as him. But just because he’s deserving doesn’t mean he was the right choice. Green got robbed, plain and simple. And though Anthony Davis’ 29-point, 15-rebound stat line speaks differently, Green has been putting his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy on display throughout this series.

The fact is, NO ONE in this league can stop Anthony Davis. He’s going to get his. But Green has fought the Brow every step of the way, making him work for every point he got. Davis, who shot 53.5 percent from the floor this season, has only surpassed that mark in one of the first three games. In the other two games, he shot 50 percent and 40.9 percent from the floor.

This is a similar situation to when Shane Battier used to defend Kobe Bryant. There would be some nights where Kobe would go off for 40 because that’s how good he was…but Battier played him perfectly and made him work for it. Davis, like Kobe, is just that good on some nights.

But so far, Green has had the upper hand. His individual numbers don’t compare to the Brow’s, but Green has out-rebounded Davis in every single game, holding a 41-33 advantage on that front for the series. Even with the foul trouble, Green outplayed Davis in the fourth quarter for the second game in a row. No offense to Kawhi (and the 18 games he missed), but Draymond Green should’ve won DPOY.

Next: No. 3

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