San Francisco, CA – On Monday night, the Golden State Warriors faced the Utah Jazz inside the Chase Center. Both teams have players who've won the Defensive Player of the Year award. Center Rudy Gobert won the award back-to-back in 2018 and 2019 with Draymond Green winning before him in 2017.
Steve Kerr said he felt Green was the best defender in this modern era of basketball. The Warriors coach also claimed his star forward should be the Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Green, who is not a top candidate this year for the award, shared his thoughts on the controversy that goes with the said trophy.
“At times, your defense is evaluated by steals, but that doesn't necessarily tell the story. Some of the worst defenders in NBA history have led the league and steals, ” the Warriors star told ClutchPoints.
At that moment, teammate Stephen Curry walked in and raised his hand. Curry led the NBA in steals during the 2016 season, this despite the fact that the two-time MVP was considered a lousy defender at the time. Green quickly announced he wasn't referring to his Warriors teammate with that argument.
“You can get steals, you can, you can get blocks, you can do those things, and I know people will try to make this about Rudy Gobert. Feel free to make it about Rudy if you want. It's not. But whatever. You can get steals, you can get blocks, and that cannot tell the story. So it doesn't quite go hand in hand,” Green said.
Winning the award again is a goal Green would like to achieve once more. But if he doesn't win it another time, he believes it's not a knock on his resume as one of the best defenders in the NBA.
“It doesn't always go to the most impactful player on defense,” Green explained.
No player makes an impact defensively the way Green does. That will always keep the Warriors' defensive talisman in the conversation for the award.
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