Draymond Green has been the catalyst he was expected to be for the Golden State Warriors this postseason, and no effort was more visible than his master class on defense in Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Enough to call himself the best defender of all time. Perhaps so:
“The best ever defender?” Green said after the Warriors held Portland to 46 points on 38.5 percent shooting in the second half in Thursday’s 114-111 win in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, according to Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic.
“Me.”
Green reiterated the sentiment:
“Me.” Green double-down on his declaration with a nod, quickly strutting out of the locker room with a smile.
Green didn't do it for the headlines or the Twitter videos. The man is dead serious:
“That’s what I believe,” said Green. “Wholeheartedly.”
Green made his case on the floor in Game 2, begging to stay in the game after picking up his fifth foul with 7:40 left in regulation. Not only did Green play the whole way without fouling out, but he consistently delivered stop after stop, all while spearheading the offense in transition and even getting the game-sealing layup after a deft delivery from Stephen Curry out of the pick-and-roll action.
The value of Draymond Green as a two-way asset is far underrated. It was easy to do so throughout the course of this season as he was bothered by injuries and carrying around some extra weight.
But this Green is spry and mobile, and if his stat line of 16 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks was any indication, he has lost no steps from the Defensive Player of the Year he was two seasons ago.
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