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Draymond Green’s SI Ranking

By Sumeet Paul

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ranked as the 16th best player in the NBA heading into the 2015-16 season by Sports Illustrated, but should he have been higher?

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The 25-year-old is coming off a regular season in which he averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 assists and 8.2 rebounds per game, all significantly up on his career marks. Further, he went on to play a key role in the Warriors reaching the NBA Finals where they ended their long wait for a championship by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Green is a “problem solver”, as SI described him. The Warriors star can be a huge presence on the offensive end, and is versatile enough to defend numerous different positions too. Green is a luxury in the league given his ability to produce at both ends of the court, and he is one that Steve Kerr will undoubtedly be delighted to have at his disposal.

If that isn’t enough to earn him a spot higher up the rankings, then a closer look at those ahead of him would further solidify the argument.

It is surprising to see Carmelo Anthony in 15th spot. The New York Knicks star hasn’t fallen off that far, but in terms of the list being an exercise to define who will be the league’s best players in the 2015/16 season, few know how well the veteran will bounce back after an injury plagued year. While he will still play a crucial role for the Knicks, Green is likely to have the better campaign if he builds on what he produced last season combined with his leadership skills and ability to improve the team as a whole.

Much depends on personal opinion, as the list is by no means set in stone as being the gospel that everyone must abide by. Some could argue that what Green offers the Warriors is more important and impressive than the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan and Marc Gasol, and that’s taking nothing away from that group of great players.

However, it is surprising to not see Green included the top 10 or at least on the cusp of breaking into it, with Stephen Curry the only Golden State man to be included. The importance of Green to the Warriors is one that many fans in the NBA cannot grasp – after all, how much of an impact can a small forward masquerading as a power forward bring to the Warriors?

Green’s ability to defend up a position (or in some instances, up two positions) is the cornerstone to which the Warriors’ defense is built upon. Along with Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes, the Warriors have the most interchangeable defensive three-man pairing in the league. Any one of the trio can switch defensive assignments and not be on the receiving end of a mismatch. On the offensive end, by playing one position up, he has a quickness advantage over his matchup, and regularly draws them towards the perimeter with his three-point shooting.

Green may not be the flashiest player or the player that gets the most attention, but perhaps shares as much importance to the Warriors success as Stephen Curry does.

Few will argue with the top five or so players, but there is plenty of room for personal interpretation thereafter. Some will feel Green did enough to be higher, others will arguably think he’s high enough as it is. Regardless, what he does on the court and the championships that he may possibly win will likely mean more on an individual level.

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