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Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green travesty unlikely to change according to ESPN experts

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is guarded by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on March 26, 2023 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 - MARCH 26: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is guarded by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on March 26, 2023 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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In many ways Draymond Green has helped usher in a new generation of basketball over the last decade. The 33-year-old’s defensive exploits with the Golden State Warriors have been critical to their four NBA championships in nine years, regularly allowing Steve Kerr to play small to exploit lethargic opposing defenses through the playmaking of Green and the shooting of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Green has amassed a fair résumé as a result — along with the four titles, he’s amassed four All-Star appearances, has made two All-NBA teams, and has been selected to eight All-NBA defensive teams. Not bad for the 35th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

One area of Draymond Green’s legacy continues to stand out as a travesty, and it’s unlikely to change next season for the Golden State Warriors’ star.

Some would argue that not only is Green the best and most versatile defender of his generation, he’s one of the most impactful of all-time full stop. Yet while that statement may be true, he’s only got one Defensive Player of the Year award to show for it.

It’s one of the league’s moden travesties — future generations will look back and make assumptions based on Rudy Gobert’s three DPOY’s to Green’s one. Not that many non-Warrior fans will hold empathy given Green’s controversial reputation.

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth-quarter at Target Center on November 27, 2022. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth-quarter at Target Center on November 27, 2022. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

His proximity to another DPOY has seen two second-place finishes, a third, and most recently a fourth last season. Unfortunately, Green’s quest to add another one is falling more and more unlikely, at least according to a group of ESPN experts.

Asked to provide their predictions for each of the major NBA awards next season, the experts provided their rankings with the scoring based on five points for a first-place vote, three points for a second-place vote, and one point for a third-place vote.

When it came to DPOY, Green was the ninth player listed with 13 points. Ahead of him was last year’s winner Jaren Jackson Jr., along with Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Evan Mobley, Marcus Smart, Mikal Bridges, Gobert and Anthony Davis.

Next. Chris Paul expected to win major NBA award in first season with the Golden State Warriors. dark

That doesn’t appear totally fair, although Green probably doesn’t help himself with the antics that accompanies his game. His defense becomes more influential in the postseason anyway, and there’s little doubt he’ll enjoy a fifth title more than he would a second DPOY.

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