This victory by the Golden State Warriors showed the nation why Draymond Green is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and that he is the best help defender in the NBA.
For three quarters, the Golden State Warriors struggled to gain any separation from the visiting Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers were playing their “A” game, led by their dynamic backcourt, CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard. Their backcourt seemed unstoppable at times and was the only reason they remained within striking distance of the Warriors.
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The Warriors finally created that separation in the fourth quarter with their stifling defense. It was led by the likely Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green. The Warriors went on to win, 121-109, taking a 1-0 series lead with Green’s helpside defense propelling them to victory. This victory showed the nation why Green is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and that he is the best help defender in the NBA.
Green is a great on-ball defender but is lethal coming from the weak side and helping off his opponent. He had 5 blocks. All were a direct result of rotating on defense after the initial defender was beat. Green was able to be in the right spot because the Blazers had no inside presence, which allowed Green to roam and pick his spots.
Two of the most memorable moments were Green blocks. The first one occurred in the third quarter after Klay Thompson threw an errant pass backcourt towards the sideline. Lillard picked it up with Green back, found a streaking Noah Vonleh for what looked like a sure dunk. Vonleh received the ball, took one step and flew towards the rim. Green rotated off of Lillard and got back in a great defensive position and managed to meet Vonleh at the top. What happened after that was magical.
Green met Vonleh at the top of his accent and blocked the dunk attempt. It was a miraculous feat considering Vonleh is 6’11’’ and Green stands at 6’7”. Green roared as he completed the block, sending the Warriors on their way in transition. It did not result in a bucket but Green’s presence was felt throughout Roaracle.
His second may have been even more impressive. After getting a tip-in to put the Warriors up 107-99, Lillard blew by Stephen Curry at the other end. Green, guarding Maurice Harkless, was standing at the three-point arc, quickly diverted his attention to Lillard and sprinted back to his hoop. Lillard tried to dunk on Green and JaVale McGee earlier in the contest but all he got was an undeserved foul on McGee.
This time, there was no foul. Green met Lillard at the summit and swatted the point guard’s dunk attempt. The impact of the block sent Lillard to floor while Green stood over him, roaring and starting another fast break. This one ended in a Kevin Durant layup, putting the Warriors up ten, essentially ending the game.
These two plays epitomizes Green as a help defender and why he should be the Defensive Player of the Year. As Coach Steve Kerr put it in his postgame press conference: “He played a game that I’m not sure anybody else in the league is capable of.” Green’s final stat line was 19 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 blocks and 3 steals so it is tough to argue with Kerr’s assessment.
Steve Kerr on Draymond Green's Game 1: "He played a game that I'm not sure anybody else in the league is capable of." pic.twitter.com/44G9LIUO59
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 16, 2017
What Green does for the Warriors on the defensive end is almost equivalent to a Curry three. Both acts get Roaracle rocking with Green’s defensive plays maybe getting more applause than a Curry three. Warriors’ fans are used to Curry’s magic whereas those two blocks are anomalies.
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It is too bad that every writer’s vote is already in for the Defensive of the Year because if they submitted their vote after Sunday’s game, every writer would have to vote for Green. Green is the most versatile defender in the game and that was never more evident than in Game 1. If Green continues to play this defense and there is no reason why he won’t, the Warriors should be hoisting their second Larry O’Brien trophy in three seasons.