Draymond Green believes he has a case for Defensive Player of the Year award

[ASFN Admin]

With Steph Curry sidelined on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jimmy Butler helped carry the Golden State Warriors offense on the way to a shorthanded win on the second leg of a back-to-back. While the offense went through Butler, Draymond Green shouldered Golden State's defense in vintage fashion.

Green was everywhere defensively, recording four blocks and two steals and finishing tied with Butler for a game-high +14. Green drew the tough assignment of defending Giannis Antetokounmpo on Tuesday where he held the All-Star forward to 20 points on 5-of-16 shooting for the game. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, when Green defended Antetokounmpo, the Warriors forward held him scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting from the field in seven minutes.

Following his impressive defensive performance against the Bucks on Tuesday, Green was asked if he believes he has a case for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Green didn't hold back, saying he "one million percent" has a case that he's going to continue to build over the remaining 13 games left on the regular season schedule.

Draymond Green on DPOY: “I want another one.”

“Especially with Wemby going down. It seemed like he had it won. Now it’s right there.”

“One million percent I have a case and I’ll continue to build that case.” pic.twitter.com/Xzww4H8etz

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 19, 2025

If we keep winning and close this year out strong, most definitely. I look around the league and don't see many players impacting the game on the defensive end the way I do. I don't see many players completely throwing off an entire team's offense the way I do. One thousand percent. Especially with Wemby [Victor Wembanyama] going down, seemed like he had it won. And now it is right there. So, one million percent I have a case, and I will continue to build that case for these next 13 games. Tonight was a prime example of that.

In the month of March, Green currently ranks second with 12 blocks, only trailing Devin Vassell. He also ranks in the top-five for steals in March with 18. During the 2024-25 campaign, Green is averaging 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

Green won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2016-17. Green has also been named to the NBA's All-Defensive team eight times over his career.

Down the final stretch run of the NBA season, Green will be competing with Cleveland's Evan Mobley, Atlanta's Dyson Daniels, Memphis big man Jaren Jackson Jr. and more for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Green will have another chance to make his case when the Warriors host the Toronto Raptors on Thursday at Chase Center.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Draymond Green believes he has a case for Defensive Player of the Year

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