Going to the NBA Playoffs seemed unlikely for the Golden State Warriors at the start of this season. By the 30-game mark, they had a 15-15 record. But what a turnaround they’ve had since! Their spot in the Playoffs is virtually guaranteed now. Making a deep run in the postseason is a real possibility now, it won’t be easy, though. Warriors star Draymond Green knows this, but he is motivated by a lofty, albeit individual achievement. Something he stands a real chance at according to an insider.
You see, Green was talking to Baron Davis on the Draymond Green Show about his team. Davis was curious about how the Warriors were approaching these remaining few regular-season games before the postseason began. And Draymond revealed how these games were all about ensuring they gained every advantage possible heading into the postseason.
“We are in prime position to not only get in the playoffs, but we could possibly be the third or fourth seed. Possibly get a home court series to start the playoffs. Which, a week and a half ago, wasn’t even a realistic goal, but things happen…We’re not like ‘Yo, let’s get the four. Let’s get the three.’ We’re just like ‘Yo, let’s win every game, right? Control what we can control.’ What we can control is winning every game,” said the Warriors star. It seems what once wasn’t a realistic goal is now on the precipice of happening.
As they discussed the remaining fixtures, Draymond revealed another scenario he could envision playing out. Davis said ,”It can wind up being y’all and the Clippers. So that could be a good snapshot of what you could see in the Western Conference finals,” said Davis. And Draymond agreed that this was a real possibility. “1,000% and so, you know, we got it. That’s a game…We got to take care of business,” Green said, concluding his explanation of the team’s headspace ahead of these remaining fixtures.
As they moved on, Baron Davis didn’t forget to appreciate his co-host’s latest on-court achievement. Draymond just became the Defensive Player of the Month. And while Green liked having this under his belt again, he wants to repeat a different feat. Something that, if Tim McMahon is to be believed, will be easier now than it would have been had the Warriors kept with their initial trajectory.
Draymond Green reveals Defensive Player of the Year ambitions,
“It’s extremely motivating, you know, these opportunities don’t come around all the time. I felt like all year, I was having a first-team All-Defense-caliber type of year, all year,” said Draymond Green about the DPOY shouts he’s been getting. And from his words, it’s clear that he wants his second before hanging it up. And while in conversation with Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, Tim McMahon revealed why Draymond has a real shot at it this year.
He opined that the on-off numbers for the Defensive rating could be a good indicator of Draymond’s standing. And he revealed where he and the numbers put Draymond. “But the on-off numbers for defensive rating are one way to do it. And you guys keep yapping… For Draymond, it’s about a point and a half difference… So far, Draymond is the lowest…Draymond is 1.5 better,” he said.
And this does place Draymond as the frontrunner, as far as his defensive showings in isolation are concerned. However, the impact is what really determines who wins the award. Tim Bonremps believes that there’s another player who will provide Green with stiff competition for the award. And that’s 4x winner Rudy Gobert. “I would say that Rudy’s got as good or better case, than he does this year to win the award,” said Bontemps.
Now, it’s hard to say which Tim is right. Ultimately, it’ll come down to the voters to decide who they think their Defensive Player of the Year is. But first, as Draymond said, the Warriors need to win. Their remaining regular-season games, the NBA final, potentially, and everything that lies in between.
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