SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama and OKC's Chet Holmgren are considered among the league's top defenders, but Warriors' Draymond Green reminds everyone that he is still playing.
“I spent all summer listening to people talk about Chet and Wemby and what they’re doing defensively. Don’t forget about Dray," the Warriors big man said. "I wanna be in that conversation as well, and I think I've earned the right to at least be in the conversation."
Green has a case to be mentioned among the best defenders; his resume reflects that.
He was named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season and was on the First All-Defensive Team in 2020-21 and in multiple past seasons: 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.
Green (34 years old) is a fierce defender, willing to mix it up on the defensive end of the court, but was hampered by injuries last season.
He's currently posting 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks and 4.0 rebounds per game for Golden State.
DANNY GREEN PRAISES THE POPOVICH-WEMBANYAMA PAIRING
Former Spur Danny Green spoke on Run It Back TV and praised the coach Gregg Popovich-Wemby paring in San Antonio. He even believes players like Joel Embiid could have benefitted from learning under Pop.
"Oh, way better off. We talk about Joel and all these all-stars and I think a lot of their career trajectories would be a lot different if they played for a different coach starting out. No disrespect to the coaches that have coached them," he said.
Green knows Pop's impact on players.
He was waived by the Spurs, worked his way into the G League, then returned to the Spurs with Popovich guiding him and believing in him.
Green would be instrumental in San Antonio's 2014 NBA title with his 3-point shooting.