Draymond Green has been in the league for over a decade, debuting in the NBA in 2012. He’s stood out over the years due to his defensive skills, and he even secured the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017. Additionally, he’s made it onto the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times.
As the center for the Golden State Warriors, Green possesses a deep understanding of the challenges within the league, which he and his Warriors teammates have consistently overcome. However, since the league resumed, it has seen outstanding performances from rookie players that have earned praise from the Warriors’ stars.
Draymond Green hails NBA rookies
In the season’s rookie class, much of the attention is focused on Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 sensation of the San Antonio Spurs. However, two other promising rookies, Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons, are gaining recognition for their defensive skills.
Draymond Green, the defensive force of the Golden State Warriors, commended Wembanyama and the Thompsons for their defensive prowess, while he observed they don’t look like typical rookies according to (NBCSWarriors). Though Wemby has had moments where he looked like a rookie, such as his 3-of-12 shooting in a recent game, there have been times when he displayed his potential.
Just last week, he scored an impressive 38 points and played a crucial role in a 132-121 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Additionally, he contributed to the Spurs’ comeback against the Suns by making some key baskets in the final minutes. Throughout these games, his defensive performance remained consistently strong, averaging 2.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per game this season.
On the other hand, the Thompsons may not be high scorers, but their defensive abilities have basketball enthusiasts optimistic about their future. In a game where Green’s Warriors triumphed over Ausar Thompson’s Pistons with a score of 120-109, Thompson managed to score 16 points, along with seven rebounds and four steals.
Draymond Green’s performance against Pistons
The Golden State Warriors matchup against the Detroit Pistons had a lot to remember, apart from the winning scoreline of 109–120. Draymond Green, who returned from injury not quite long ago, contributed six points, nine rebounds, and eight assists within 28 minutes of play in Monday’s win over the Pistons.
Draymond Green had an off night in terms of scoring, attempting only four shots. It’s not unexpected for his scoring numbers to remain modest, considering he plays alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins. Both Curry and Thompson scored 34 points and 17 points, respectively, to help the Warriors triumph over the Pistons.
However, it is worth noting that Green’s true contribution to the Warriors goes beyond the statistics. His exceptional defense and playmaking are the glue that holds the team together. In the end, Green doesn’t offer much fantasy potential, especially in standard formats. Still, in category-based leagues, he can be a valuable contributor because of his consistent ability to fill up the stat sheet.
