Golden State Warriors

Draymond Green says he’s the greatest all-around defender in NBA history

Published by
Peter Dewey

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green didn’t hold back when discussing his position among the NBA’s greatest defenders ever.

Green explained that people’s first thought when rating the greatest defenders is how players match up in one-on-one situations. However, the Warriors forward explained that there is much more to defense in the NBA.

“You can’t just be a great on-ball defender,” Green said. “You can’t just be a great weak-side defender. You have to put all of those things together.

 

“And when you’re looking at the defensive end, I think I put all those things together better than anybody in the history of the game.”

Green certainly has the numbers to back up his statement, as he won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award during the 2016-17 season and is a three-time All-Star.

Green has been named to an NBA All-Defensive Team six times in his career and led the league in steals in the 2016-17 NBA season.

The Warriors leaned on Green as the defensive anchor in their three NBA titles with him on the team, and he still has that role with the team today.

There are several players that have come through the league and have been elite defenders, but Green’s ability to guard multiple positions at a high level certainly puts him in the conversation.

Green and the Warriors are off to a great start in the 2021-22 campaign. They currently hold a 21-5 record and will take on the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball, football and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Chandler Parsons: Jaylen Brown would be best player on over half of NBA teams, including some playoff teams

The Boston Celtics were without maybe their top player for Wednesday's Game 2 versus the…

18 mins ago

‘Spo gonna Spo’: Cavs player gives Erik Spoelstra his flowers after Heat’s near-upset in Game 2

The odds were stacked against the Miami Heat to pick up a win in Game…

51 mins ago

Report: Will Campbell landing with Patriots may depend on whether team gets ‘fair deal’ to trade down

As a consolation prize for a woeful 2024 season that was marred by losing, the…

3 hours ago

Report: ‘Most of the league’ has been contacted about Jalen Ramsey, including Rams, Lions and Eagles

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is one of the more notable players in the league…

3 hours ago

Report: Rival teams project Blazers as team to monitor for potential trades this offseason

The Portland Trail Blazers are watching the 2025 NBA Playoffs from home after they finished…

15 hours ago

NFC executive praises Shedeur Sanders’ ability to make difficult throws: ‘He’s got probably the best collection of those’

Former University of Colorado Boulder star quarterback Shedeur Sanders is projected by some to be…

15 hours ago