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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is ready to start seeing his name listed alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama in discussions of the top defensive players in the NBA.
“I spent all summer watching everyone talk about Chet, and Wemby, and what they were doing defensively. Don’t forget about Dray,” Green told reporters. “I wanna be in that conversation as well, and I think I’ve earned the right to at least be in the conversation.
“So every game I’m coming out here motivated, defensively, to get back on the first team All-Defense.”
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Draymond Green: “I spent all summer listening to people talk about Chet and Wemby and what they’re doing defensively. Don’t forget about Dray.” pic.twitter.com/HBLf7EE9LK
Green, who was named Defensive Player of the Year following the 2016-17 season, last earned First All-Defensive Team honors in 2020-21.
He was also named to the First Team in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, and earned Second Team honors in 2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22 and 2022-23.
His name was left off the list altogether during the 2023-24 season, a snub Green attributed to being limited to 55 games by injuries and suspension last season.
“I think I had a really good year defensively, I just didn’t play enough games,” Green said.
In addition to returning to the First All-Defensive Team, Green said his goal is to re-establish himself as a contender for Defensive Player of the Year. After finishing fourth in voting for the award at the end of the 2022-23 season, Green did not receive any DPOY votes in 2024.
“When I’m matching up with those guys, that’s my mindset,” Green said.
Green is set to match up with Holmgren during a Warriors road game on Nov. 10, while his first meeting of the season with Wembanyama is scheduled for Nov. 23 in San Antonio.
The Warriors veteran is so far averaging 1.2 steals per game, his most since 2021-22, as well as a career-high 1.8 blocks through four games. He has been effective in matchups with stars including the Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen and New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, and his defense has been a key reason the Warriors have climbed out to a 4-1 season-opening record.
Green will see if he can keep up that defensive momentum as the Warriors look to continue their climb up the Western Conference during a five-game road swing that starts on Saturday night against Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets.
