Draymond Green for First-Team All-Defense
This is the official campaign for Draymond Green making the All-Defensive First Team. Green is the quarterback, the leader for this Golden State defense. You saw last night how absolutely dominant on that side of the floor he is. Rim protection, post defense, rebounding, taking charges, communicating. That last one is the key. That’s how you set the tone on defense. Be vocal and lead by example.
Green's ability to play multiple positions (including the center spot which has been vital to this team’s lack of size) at only 6' 6" has given the Warriors many different options to throw out there. Steve Kerr has the ability to be flexible and versatile with the lineup selection in thanks to Draymond. He's not only one of the most important players on this team but in the entire NBA.
If you are a big stat guy, then here you go. Draymond Green has a defensive rating of 106.5 this season which ranks as the 4th best in the league. Only Rudy Gobert, Ben Simmons, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have better.
Green is also tied for third among the league’s best rim protectors (minimum 200 shots at the rim defended) and is at the top of the list in allowing the fewest points per possession at 0.37.
The Warriors have the 5th best team defensive rating and they rank 10th in opponent’s field goal percentage at 40.2% because of Draymond’s efforts. When he’s on the floor, the team’s defensive efforts as a whole drastically improves.
It’s not just me that thinks Draymond deserves this honor. Even stars around the league think he’s one of the best defenders in the world right now.
"He has a high IQ for the game," Zion Williamson told the media Tuesday night. "He's a great basketball player. He knows where to take his reaches, when to be physical without drawing the foul.”
"He's a great defender," Embiid said after the loss to the Warriors on April 19th. "There's nothing I can take away from him. He's a great one-on-one defender; he's a great team defender. You know, he's very smart and knows how to position himself on the court.”
Not only should Green be on the All-Defensive First Team, I expect him to be receiving some votes for Defensive Player of the Year.
Arden Cravalho is a Sports Producer for 95.7 The Game and NBC Sports Bay Area... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho.