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Draymond Green is having an outstanding 2021-22 season so far, helping lead the Golden State Warriors to the best record in the NBA. Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder recently made some out-of-the-ordinary comments regarding Green's strong campaign. He endorsed the Warriors forward for MVP consideration, reasoning that Green impacts the game in a way no one else in the can. For many, these may appear as eyebrow-raising remarks. But looking at Green's footprint on this Warriors squad's success, it's easy to see why Snyder said what he said.
The 31-year old was appreciative of Snyder's praises. While Green is self-aware that he doesn't put up the same gaudy stat lines that his teammate Stephen Curry, or Kevin Durant, or Giannis Antetokounmpo do, he understood where Snyder came from. Green knows he affects winning in a meaningful way. He is arguably as huge of a reason as Stephen Curry is for Golden State's success, not just this season, but throughout their dynasty years.
With that said, Quin Snyder may be onto something here. Draymond Green deserves some consideration to be in MVP talks. Here are three reasons why:
3 reasons Draymond Green deserves to be in the MVP conversation
1. Defense
Draymond Green has repeatedly advocated that he is the best defender to ever play the game of basketball. Certainly, those are strong claims and people have their own reactions to Green's hot take. Nonetheless, the former Michigan State standout offered a sound explanation as to why he believes he's the best defensive player of all time.
Green argued that there is nobody in the history of the league who defends like he does. And he may be right. The 6-foot-6 forward is capable of defending one through five and he does so at an elite level. Despite being undersized at his position, Green's brute strength and long wingspan allows him to hold himself against some of the best big men in the NBA. Whenever the Warriors go with their signature small-ball look, he is usually the guy tasked to defend the opposing team's big.
At the same time, Green is also versatile enough to keep in step with smaller players on the perimeter. When Green plays in more traditional lineups, he sometimes gets assigned to one of the opponent's perimeter players, just like he did on Christmas Day when he guarded Chris Paul.
Green is arguably the most versatile defender in NBA history. His communication on defense and IQ are also exceptional. He also has impeccable timing on his help defense and rotations and is also elite at covering the defensive lapses his teammates sometimes fall into. If you need any evidence for his defensive genius, just watch this highlight montage from Monday's game against Miami.
2⃣3⃣'s defensive mastery was on full display last night.#DraymondGreen || #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/RItDIVudKT
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 4, 2022
Draymond Green's defensive impact is second-to-none. It's honestly a shame that this guy only has one Defensive Player of the Year award to his name. Green may not have any realistic shot at winning MVP. But surely with the way he is playing this year, his lone DPOY trophy should find itself another companion by season's end.
2. Role in Warriors offense
A lot of Golden State's offense revolves around Stephen Curry. Without his marksmanship from long distance and his gravitational pull, this beautiful, free-flowing Warriors offense wouldn't be as successful as it is. But behind the offensive centerpiece that is Curry is the facilitator that guides the traffic flow. And that is Draymond Green.
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Curry obviously is the offensive focal point, but Green's masterclass playmaking and ability to direct traffic with this motion-heavy offense brings it to another level. When Green went down and entered health and safety protocols, the Warriors offense struggled mightily against the Denver Nuggets last week.
Throughout the first half, they looked completely discombobulated without their primary facilitator. It took a while for Golden State to find its bearings, but they were eventually able to adjust, as they showed in that massive road win against the Utah Jazz.
Nonetheless, Green's importance in Golden State's offense is invaluable. He doesn't need to put up points to make an impact offensively. He showed that in their previous outing against Miami, where he went scoreless in the first half but dished out 10 assists.
3. Leadership and Intangibles
Draymond Green's leadership and intangibles are also what makes him such a unique individual.
Watch this play. Jonathan Kuminga and his crazy athleticism obviously made the highlight play possible. But Green's guidance and leadership is also responsible for putting Kuminga in the right spot to make the play happen. Notice that subtle point? That prompted the 19-year old to cut to the basket and use his explosiveness to get to the rim.
Without that, Kuminga would have just stood on the corner. But Green knows their prized rookie is an exceptional athlete and finisher. He guided Kuminga to go hard at the rim and take advantage of his innate gifts.
"That's no rookie!"
Jonathan Kuminga with the TOUGH reverse…6 minutes left on ABC 🔥#NBAXmas #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/QOb1Na3WFx
— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2021
These are the small, subtle things that make Green a unicorn, as far as Quin Snyder is concerned. Utah's head coach may have sounded crazy with his claims. But he nonetheless offered a compelling perspective of what an MVP is.
