Hoops Habit
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Ranking The NBA’s Top Glue Guys

By Jon Shames

November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) sits on the court after being fouled during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won the game 137-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) sits on the court after being fouled during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won the game 137-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

1.) Draymond Green

There’s only one player on this list who has redefined what it means to be a glue guy, and that’s Draymond Green.

Green has shown a glue guy can be a bona fide superstar.

Some would even argue that Green is more important to Golden State’s success than is Stephen Curry (though personally, I disagree). Either way, Draymond Green is becoming a household name, even without putting up absurd scoring numbers.

Averaging 13.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, the walking triple-double was deservedly awarded an invite to the All-Star game this season for the first time in his career.

Green’s net rating is a whopping 20.2, and at home (where Golden State hasn’t lost a game in over a year), that number spikes to 22.7.

Curry is the Warriors’ gunner who has the ability to single-handedly open up a double-digit lead in .01 seconds, but Green’s across-the-board domination really ties directly in to his team’s season-long consistency, which is why it sports the 53-5 record it does.

Green’s passing ability gives the Warriors infinite possibilities on the offensive end, and his chemistry with Curry and Klay Thompson — both of whom work tirelessly to shake opponents without the ball — is often the difference between an open three or backdoor layup and a thrown-away pass.

Curry receives 44 percent of Green’s total passes, and shoots better percentages across the board (on twos and threes) when set up by No. 23.

On defense, few possess the versatility that Green does. He can literally guard five positions, and despite his 6-foot-7 stature, has effectively played center for the Warriors when Steve Kerr elects to go extra small. Green has active hands in one-on-one coverage, and is fantastic at recovering at the rim.

He is notching 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, and holds opponents to 6.7 percent lower shooting than their averages.

There was once a time when teams avoided drafting 3-4″tweeners” like Green.

More hoops habit: Stephen Curry: Top 10 Moments From His MVP Season

Oh, the irony.