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Golden State Warriors: Is Draymond Green The Best PF In The NBA?

By Gerald Bourguet

December 25, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates in the fourth quarter of a NBA basketball game on Christmas against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 25, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates in the fourth quarter of a NBA basketball game on Christmas against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
Mar 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dribbles on the baseline as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) defends during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Clippers won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Counterarguments

All this is a significant part of why the Warriors are on pace to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ all-time best record of 72-10, but most of you are still probably wondering how this makes him the best 4 in the league. Sure he’s having a huge impact, but can we really say he’s better than star power forwards like Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis, Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge?

In a vacuum, no. Griffin and the Brow have emerged as the best individual power forwards in the league this season, with Green’s basic numbers paling in comparison somewhat:

  • Griffin: 23.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.7 SPG, .507/.353/.725 shooting
  • Davis: 23.6 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.7 BPG, 1.3 SPG, .487/.311/.758 shooting
  • Green: 14.6 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.2 SPG, .467/.387/.706 shooting
  • Love: 17.2 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.5 BPG, 0.8 SPG, .431/.358/.833 shooting
  • Aldridge: 15.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.3 SPG, .475/—/.808 shooting

However, it’s worth noting that Green’s numbers aren’t THAT distant, and if you were to swap him with almost any of the top power forwards in the game today, there wouldn’t be that steep of a drop-off for any of those teams.

Swap him with LaMarcus Aldridge and the San Antonio Spurs would probably still be rolling with an even more elite defense than the one that’s currently holding opponents to a league-leading 92.9 points per 100 possessions. Swap him with Kevin Love and the Cavs’ defense becomes elite with a cunning playmaker to support LeBron James and a similarly effective pick-and-pop threat.

Switch him with Davis and yes, the New Orleans Pelicans get even worse, but the league’s second worst defense could certainly use Green’s help on the defensive end. The Pellies would be lacking a go-to scorer and franchise player to build around, but would they really be that much worse than their current 9-20 record with Green playing in Davis’ place?

As for Griffin, he might be the only player on that list of elite power forwards whose team might be a lot worse off with Draymond Green playing in his place. Griffin brings a similarly well rounded skill set to the table, but the Los Angeles Clippers need his high volume scoring and his chemistry with Chris Paul to be so effective.

In any case, doesn’t it speak volumes that this is even a debate worth having now?

Next: The Verdict

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