Warriors star forward Draymond Green, an eight-time All-Defensive Teamer, is hoping to get back into All-Defensive and Defensive Player of the Year consideration this season, he said in a conversation with former Warriors point guard Baron Davis on Green’s podcast, “The Draymond Green Show” (YouTube video link). Green, considered one of the best defenders of his generation, has only won the Defensive Player of the Year once, in 2017.
“That’s my goal, you know, just going through this offseason and then seeing my name not on an All-Defensive team last year,” Green said. “I know I wasn’t eligible because of the games I missed, but it still pissed me off. I want to keep building on what I hope ultimately becomes a Hall of Fame career. The more accolades, the better.”
The 34-year-old has been available for all six of the 5-1 Warriors’ games this season. He’s averaging 7.3 points on .438/.467/.643 shooting splits, along with 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per night.
“I’m not seven feet, so I have to use positioning and my brain to be great,” Green added. “This year, that’s one of my goals: to get back in the Defensive Player of the Year race, get back on All-Defense First Team, and just keep running that up.”
There’s more out of the Pacific Division:
- Kings All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox has played all of his regular season games this year with a dislocated pinkie finger on his left (shooting) hand, reports Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee. For now, his pinkie has been taped to his ring finger. Fox revealed that he suffered the injury in training camp. Imaging indicated that there’s no break, but it has yet to fully heal. “(It’s) probably a ligament,” Fox told Biderman. He plans to play through it rather than undergo a surgery, which he said would sideline him for about a month.
- Suns reserve wing Josh Okogie has been on the shelf for the first five games of Phoenix’s season with a strained hamstring. He revealed to reporters on Saturday that he has been cleared to return, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (Twitter link). “I run very hard and I run very fast,” Okogie said of his playing style being a potential impediment to a quicker return. “So just being able to make sure my hamstring could take that. Not only to take it but sustain it.”
- After being criticized for his leadership by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on the network’s “First Take” program, Suns All-Star forward Kevin Durant took umbrage with the assessment, per Doug Haller of The Athletic. “Yeah, Stephen A., I don’t understand how people even listen to Stephen A.,” Durant told Haller. “I’ve been in the league for 18 years. I’ve never seen Stephen A. at a practice, or a film session, or a shootaround. I’ve never seen him anywhere but on TV talking s–t about players and holding them to standards that he don’t even hold himself to or other people to. He’s a clown to me. He’s always been a clown. You can write that, too.” Phoenix seems to be responding well to Durant’s leadership this year. The club is off to an encouraging 5-1 start.
The day they announce Draymond makes the HOF is gunna be the funniest day of alltime online
Not pointing out the whistle against Golden State today Davey? 50 free throws, yikes. In a game the home team gets up like 30 more shots and crushed the Warriors in the paint. Odd, lol.
50…at least steph curry isn’t colluding with the league to rig the all star game now too smdh
Yep, 50 free throws, yikes. Rockets shot 24 @ home. Both hit 15 threes, warriors at a higher clip. Rockets made more field goals. Had more assists, boards, blocks, steals, and fewer turnovers to go down in OT, lol. Houston down 30 at one stage. Poor old Golden State, never get the whistle. Houston obviously played at a faster pace, hence getting up near 30 more shots. How much for front row seats to watch 74 free throws, lol? You win some, and you lose some, but let’s not pretend it’s all one-way traffic or a conspiracy against the team who have won 5 titles in modern times.
There’s an easy answer to all that. Become marketable. Become someone or become a team fans will pay extra to watch. Become that guy. LeBron is doing it and Curry is doing it. Kobe did it Jordan did it. Be available to the press, even when you don’t feel like it.
What is so difficult for everyone to understand? This is a money-making league and a money making business. You put the teams and the players that make the money in the front. And you do whatever it takes to help them stay in front.
Is everyone new here? Have you all been hiding under a rock? This is life, this is business, and this is the NBA.
Is it fair? Of course not, life isn’t fair. Why did the guy get one of the 5 fireman’s jobs who’s dad is the fire captain even though I kicked his behind in every area and was left out? It’s BS but it’s life.
What you have to do is roll with it and figure out how you can use it to your own advantage.
It’s like people complaining about gas prices. Well save your money and start buying Chevron stock knucklehead. Do what the people do who are orchestrating the gas prices lol. Pretty simple. Don’t get me started lol
Wow Gary, you’re right but I hope not too bitter. :)
Want to win basketball games? Be LeBron or Michael Jordan. It’s that simple guys.
Lil D, Reading is fundamental. Did you really miss the entire point?
If you want to be marketable do what LeBron James Michael Jordan Steph Curry do. Then things will go your way a little more often.
You can lead a horse to water but not everyone will understand the message. I thought I explained it clearly and even went a little long in making sure I did so?
Can you explain to me what they do that other players don’t? You’re saying Jalen Brunson just needs to work harder and he’ll be LeBron?
Jalen Brunson is already doing it on the floor. What I’m saying is make himself more marketable. Available to the Press, commercials, appearances Etc, stuff like that. Like Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
I’m not saying anything at all about being a better player. NBA players are already the best in the world. Sure some are better than others but there’s plenty of talented guys who are in the top 10 that are not marketable.
You get the fans on your side and always among the top vote getters at the All-Star Game and you’re going to win some games with the help of the stars and moons lining up if you know what I mean.
If you’re someone the fans want to see the NBA will make sure you’re beeing seen. The Warriors might not make the playoffs and they’re on TV 20 times in November and December. Curry is likable and marketable and makes himself that way. Sure he’s a great shooter but so is Damian Lillard.
Damian Lillard for the last 12 years was much the same player but did not Market himself that way. Probably didn’t help that the Blazers didn’t win 4 championships but still, outside of Portland you didn’t see Damian Lillard.
I saw this on my college team. My point guard made himself available to the Press every single post game and would answer every question and speak at length.
He marketed himself and yet couldn’t dribble with his left hand !! But I tell you what, he made all League because the Press voted for him. He was slow, 6 ft, averaged about 14 points, but he was a leader. He knew how to Market himself. Need I go on?
Damian Lillard was on the cover of NBA2k. He was very marketable…when he was playing like an MVP. Who is the non-star that is “marketable” and getting calls? You make it seem like it’s a matter of hard work and not luck.
Yes, stars will get calls. That’s a reality. But you saying that the warriors getting 50 free throws is because the other team isn’t making themselves marketable enough is a bad faith argument.
Fans pay attention to the Warriors and Curry. I believe the league is going to help them win games. That’s all I have for you. I appreciate your comments. You are correct.
No not bitter at all. Just understand how the world works in many cases. Then of course try to do what “those in the know” do. And then maybe sometimes pass on the info to those who could benefit as well?
Let’s talk about Steven A Smith…
KD nailed it: Steven A is a clown.