When thinking about defenders in the modern game, Draymond was emphatic in saying that no one is in the top level of defensive ability besides himself and Kawhi Leonard. He’s sure to put himself about Kawhi, but his respect for him and his abilities is higher than anyone else in the league.
“I got much respect for him,” Green said. “But I think I’m the best. If you want my honest opinion, there’s no one in the [contemporary] category with me but Kawhi.”
Draymond, always a competitor for the elusive Defensive Player of the Year award, won the award in 2017. If he can win the award once more he’ll be eligible for a super-max contract. Kawhi Leonard also has two Defensive Player of the Year awards under his belt.
Draymond was none too pleased about finishing sixth in the voting a season ago. Green views his defense as equal to the great Ben Wallace who was a leader for the championship Pistons and who snagged the award four times during his career. Green views the award not as a piece to a bigger contract, but instead as a matter of pride and legacy saying “I don’t know if there’s anybody in this league who can control the game from the defensive side of the ball [like me]. That pissed me off [finishing sixth in DPOY voting last year]. That’s why I want to win that.”
