Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Player Power Rankings: The Top 20 Players Of 2016-17

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) and Western Conference guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets (13) during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) and Western Conference guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets (13) during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 22
Next
Apr 10, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts after being called for a technical during the third quarter against Utah Jazz at Oracle Arena. The Jazz won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts after being called for a technical during the third quarter against Utah Jazz at Oracle Arena. The Jazz won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Position: Power Forward
Age: 27 (3/4/1990)
Experience: 5th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .418/.308/.709
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.5 MPG, 10.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.3 ORPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 SPG

The Golden State Warriors may have players who receive more recognition than Draymond Green, but no one is more valuable. Not only is he a defensive dynamo who can pick up players at all five positions, but he’s the glue to a team that could easily fall apart without him.

The statistics may not always jump off the page, but if you watch the Warriors play, then you’ll see Green have his hands in everything positive.

One of the primary reasons to appreciate the mainstream arrival of advanced metrics is that it shines a light on the players who contribute beyond the box score. That’s enabled fans to better appreciate what it is that players like Green bring to the table.

In a testament to his immense value, Green ranked No. 7 in the NBA in Real Plus-Minus, as well as No. 2 in Defensive RPM.

Green was No. 1 on the Warriors in assists per game, which is the foundation for his offensive value. He’s also the most versatile defensive player in the NBA, with a genuine ability to switch onto players from point guard to center.

Green is a polarizing player due to his somewhat limited statistics, but he’s an elite defensive player, a vital offensive presence, and an outstanding leader.