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NBA Player Power Rankings: Change of the Guard

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 123-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 123-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates on the sideline after a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 125-107. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates on the sideline after a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 125-107. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Last Rank: No. 9

Position: Power Forward

Age: 26

Slash Line: .473/.379/.691

Season Averages: 34.3 MPG, 13.6 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.7 ORPG, 7.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.2 3PM

What can you really say about Draymond Green? The NBA’s resident swiss army knife has helped transform the Golden State Warriors into the powerhouse that they are with his role as the defensive anchor and primary facilitator.

There’s no telling how good he would be in another system, but let’s ask an honest question; who cares?

Green doesn’t just have a role in the Warriors’ system; on both ends of the floor, he’s the glue to it all. He protects the rim, breaks up the pick-and-roll, and attacks the perimeter defensively, all the while converting at a near 40 percent clip from 3-point range and leading the team in assists.

Throw in the fact that he averages just under a team-leading 10 rebounds per game, and there isn’t an area of the game that Green doesn’t play a vital part in fueling.

Green may not be the ninth-best player in the NBA, but this season, he’s easily cracked the Top 10. He can dominate games without taking a single shot, influences the outcome as a scorer when his number is called, and masks the flaws of the players around him.

If you need to draw a parallel for what Green means to the Warriors, try what Anthony Davis was to the national champion Kentucky Wildcats.

Next: Reaffirming Superstar Status