As the Golden State Warriors attempt to vie for a championship on the shoulders of their established veteran trio, Draymond Green's defensive prowess remains as important as ever to the team's chances for contention.
Moreover, while it may be an unfortunate thought, it is a reality that both Green's and Stephen Curry's careers will be coming to an end sooner rather than later, and Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast has given fans another reason to dread the loss of their defensive quarterback: his historic ability to communicate on the defensive end of the floor.
Therefore, although Green has likely already had his final opportunity to be honored as Defensive Player of the Year, fans should not glance over how vital his skill-set is to the team's success.
Draymond Green's defensive communication is on another echelon
Last season, at age 35, Green still held up as one of the premier defensive players in the league, leading the Warriors to the best defensive performance in the league after the All-Star Game and making a serious case for Defensive Player of the Year,
Although the award ultimately went to Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Green's ability to guard all five positions, and even play large swathes of center for Golden State when they desperately need it, cemented him yet again as a top defender.
Now, Vecenie, in ranking the league's top defensive players, gave Green the number two spot, saying, "He was just an incredible monster on [the defensive] end in the way that he was able to yell out coverages. He's the best communicator on defense I've ever seen in my life."
While much attention and thought has been given to what will happen to the Warriors when Curry retires, especially given the manner in which they've built their entire offense around his uncanny sharpshooting ability, Green's impact on the team should not be forgotten.
With apt defenders around him, including Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, Green has been able to use his knowledge of opposing teams offenses and the Warriors' own defensive scheme to lead their roster into defensive stances that have kept them in playoff contention even when the offense has been sub-par.
Therefore, upon the end of Green's career, which will likely coincide with Curry's, Golden State will have no way to replace his skill-set except through committee.
As the Warriors begin their defined two-year championship window, fans must appreciate all that Green has done and will do for the team even as his athletic abilities wane.