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Golden State’s midseason awards

By Carlos Murillo

January 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35), guard Stephen Curry (30), and guard Klay Thompson (11) during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pistons 127-107. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35), guard Stephen Curry (30), and guard Klay Thompson (11) during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pistons 127-107. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
Nov 21, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) blocks the shot of Indiana Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey (2) in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Golden State beat Indiana 120-83. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Player of the Year

There’s probably a more efficient use of my time than telling you guys what you already know, but I have to do it anyways. Draymond Green is the Defensive Player of the Year. I don’t mean that in just the team context–I mean, in general.

Green has been absolutely dominant. After Kawhi Leonard took the last two DPOYs back home with him, this one is Green’s to lose. He’s making sure of that.

He is the anchor for the second best defensive team in the league in a year that many speculated the Warriors would drop off on that end. He took that personally and has stepped his game up. He’s done everything.

When Durant signed, fans and experts argued who would take the lead in the clutch. It turns out, that player isn’t Curry or Durant on the offensive end, it’s Green on defense. He’s saved a handful of games with huge stops with the game on the line.

Green currently leads the leagues in steals per game with 2.1 per contest. He set a career-high earlier in the year, coming away with 10 steals in Memphis. He asserted his dominance that night.

He also averaged 1.5 blocks per game, proving, once again, that he’s one of the best rim protectors in the league. Players are shooting 5.4 percent worse, according to NBA.com’s stats, when they’re guarded by Green. That’s exceptional.

This is the year Green takes home that hardware. His versatility makes him special on that side of the floor. He can seamlessly switch between quick guards and physical bigs. His ability to play a small five is what unleashes everything for the Warriors.

Draymond Green is the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.

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