Draymond Green has set his sights on winning his second Defensive Player of the Year award, believing he has a strong case following Victor Wembanyama’s injury.
Speaking to reporters, Green made his intentions clear, saying, “I want another one. Especially with Wemby going down. It seemed like he had it won. Now it’s right there.”
“One million percent I have a case and I’ll continue to build that case,” the four-time NBA champion added.
“I don’t see many players completely throwing off an entire team’s offense the way I do… One million percent I have a case, and I’ll continue to build that case for these next 13 games,” Green said about his impact on the defensive end.
The 35-year-old forward is averaging 9.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.4 steals in 29 minutes per game this season.
Wembanyama, who was leading the NBA with 3.8 blocks per game, was shut down by the Spurs on February 20 due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
At the time of his injury, the 7-foot-4 center was averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, making him a frontrunner for DPOY honors.
Wembanyama’s absence has opened the door for other candidates, and Green sees a legitimate path to reclaiming the award he first won in 2017.
The Warriors veteran remains one of the league’s most versatile defenders, anchoring Golden State’s defense as they fight for playoff positioning.
With less than a month left in the regular season, Green will need to continue making his case as the competition for the award remains strong.
