While Steph Curry often leads headlines connected to the Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green has put together an impressive 2020-21 campaign.
Although he’s been quiet when it comes to scoring, averaging seven points per game on 44.7% shooting from the field, the 31-year-old forward has helped push the Warriors to a top-five defensive rating (109.4).
On Thursday, the NBA named Green as a finalist for the 2020-21 Defensive Player of the Year award alongside Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
Via @NBA on Twitter:
The three finalists for #KiaDPOY… @rudygobert27, @Money23Green and @BenSimmons25! #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/xpwOYSw2bK
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2021
During the 2020-21 season, Green is averaging 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per contest. Green notched six games with four or more steals, including a seven steal performance against the Dallas Mavericks in February.
Green is coming off one of his top defensive efforts of the season in a battle with Anthony Davis in the Western Conference play-in game. In the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Green limited Davis to five points on 2-of-12 shooting from the floor with turnovers in the first half. Davis finished the play-in game with 25 points on 10-of-24 shooting from the field and 1-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Against the Lakers, Green recorded three blocks and three steals in 42 minutes.
Via @warriors on Twitter:
Just one example of the kind of havoc @Money23Green causes nightly on the defensive end of the floor ⤵️ https://t.co/fKdDUUptUK pic.twitter.com/lKSiOdccck
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 20, 2021
Green’s campaign for the DPOY award will continue on Thursday in the final Western Conference play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
