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NBA: 5 Players That Deserve First All-Star Appearance

By Joshua Howe

Nov 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Draymond Green

He’s the least flashy guy on this list for sure. But how can we really deny him? Not only is his team 23-0 and ripping the league to pieces like a puppy with a ribeye steak, but his own individual numbers are staggering in their own special way.

You won’t get what’s remarkable about Green from his seasonal averages, although there is a hint there of what he’s doing. He’s the Warriors’ souped-up, mega version of the Spurs’ 2013-14 Boris Diaw. He can do a little bit of everything well and could lead the league in intangibles if that were a thing.

Here are his numbers this season:

  • 13.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 46.0 FG%, 37.8 3P%, 70.7 FT%, 34 MPG

Those are career-highs across the board. That’s in part due to the fact that Green’s had three triple-doubles this year already, tied with Russell Westbrook and second only to Rajon Rondo (four).

Now we get into the fun stuff and the real reason Green should be suiting up for the game in February.

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Draymond is listed as 6’7”. The Warriors’ ICE (In Case of Emergency) lineup consists of Green, Harrison Barnes, Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson. Indeed, there appears to be no center. Except that there is. And his name is Draymond Green.

That lineup is the one that has obliterated teams this season and made everyone want to copy Golden State’s small-ball style. That lineup has played together almost 65 minutes this season, which means that Green has spent no shortage of time going up against dudes who dwarf him physically.

The truly amazing part is that within less than six feet of the basket when Green is defending his opponents’ shots, they shoot a mere 48.4 percent. Green is guarding guys that would normally be shooting a combined average of 58.6 percent from that spot. His defended field goal percentage, then, is superior to the likes of Hassan Whiteside’s (49.7), Serge Ibaka’s (52.1) and Rudy Gobert’s (50.0).

That’s insane. Green is one of the league’s better rim protectors and he’s an inch shorter than LeBron James. For that feat alone, he deserves an All-Star nod.

Next: The Claw