Draymond Green has built his reputation as one of the toughest, most versatile defenders in the NBA. But once upon a time, the Golden State Warriors forward was questioned if he could defend anybody at all.

That was reportedly the knock on Draymond Green coming into the 2012 NBA Draft. Given that Warriors star was a 6-foot-7 tweener forward who at the time was too short to defend bigs, but seemed too slow to defend wings, it seemed like a valid concern. Green revealed during his Team USA training interview that he used that slight as motivation to becoming one of the best defenders the league has ever seen

Via Warriors reporter Whitley Sandretto:

“When I came into the league, I fell in the draft because their number one question was what position would I guard? And that stuck with me. I wanted to make everyone eat those words.”

Article Continues Below
More Warriors News
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the first quarter at the Chase Center.
NBA rumors: ESPN’s 4-team trade sends Giannis to Warriors, Draymond Green to LakersJulian Ojeda ·
Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry (right) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
Doc Rivers pushes for Warriors Stephen Curry family reunionScotty White ·
Golden State Warriors guard Jacob Evans (10) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (16) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Golden State Warriors’ 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in historySpencer See ·
Warriors guard Stephen Curry, whose dad Dell Curry talked about when he may decide to retire, against the Rockets.
Dell Curry makes eye-opening Stephen Curry retirement claimAndrew Korpan ·
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) stands on the court before a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center.
NBA rumors: Heat, Bulls again linked to Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-tradeZachary Weinberger ·
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Warriors reporter set to make big ESPN moveGuillermo Guajardo ·

Draymond Green has been named to six All-Defensive teams and won the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year award. The Warriors star will also be the first to tell you that he probably deserves more than one. That's one way to shut up all your haters.

Green is no longer the spring chicken he once was, but his defense still held up last season for the Warriors. Golden State is going to need Draymond Green at his best as they try to make another run at the title next season.