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Warriors’ Draymond Green is cementing his case for best defender in his generation

By Rafael Freire

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 26: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on November 26, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 26: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on November 26, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Why Draymond has taken defense to the next level

If you want to be a good NBA defender in the small-ball era, you must be complete, clever, able to read actions, and do a little bit of everything. These are the greatest virtues of Draymond Green.

Green has a unique physical build. He is rarely the taller, strongest, quicker, or most athletic player of the matchup.

However, standing as a 6-foot-6, 230lbs combo forward, he has a good combination of size, weight, and strength, which makes him able to guard any opposing player from guard to center. Green is a switching nightmare and an absolute leader on the floor.

Maybe the best characteristic of Draymond Green is his IQ. In defense, this is a game-changer.

Dray might not be the most dominant rebounder, but one look at how many box-outs he sets is enough to understand his impact. He might not get enough blocks as other DPOY contestants, but he is always on the right spots, changing opposite looks in the paint.

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