Draymond Green lobbies for Defensive Player of the Year Award after ace performance vs. Bucks

SAN FRANCISCO — Jimmy Butler raised his eyebrows and shook his head eight times, marveling in his mind just at the thought of Draymond Green’s defensive greatness.

He knows all about Green. But does he have a greater appreciation for him now that he gets to see him up close?

“Hell yeah,” Butler said. “I think you’ve got to respect the hell out of what he does. It’s so hard to do — to shoot the ball, I don’t know, four times maybe, if that. And then lock in on defense every single possession and get mad when anybody scores. Not just the guy he’s guarding. You don’t find that in the league too often. He’s won at this level, he is a Hall of Famer for a reason. Damn, I just respect what he brings to this squad.”

Butler’s comments came after perhaps the crowning achievement of Green’s season so far, a defensive masterclass that elevated even his other gems this year.

Green held former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to 5-for-16 shooting despite giving up 5 inches in height. He was just as comfortable locking him down as he was shutting off Damian Lillard in pick-and-rolls. Green notched four blocks — including two on Antetokounmpo — and two steals in a 104-93 win without Steph Curry.

After the gem, Green politicked for what would be his second Defensive Player of the Year Award. And he wasn’t talking crazy.

“Obviously, if we keep winning and close this year out strong, most definitely,” Green said.

“When I look around the league, I don’t see many players impacting the game on the defensive end the way I do. I don’t see many players completely throwing off other teams’ offenses the way I do. So, 1,000 percent. Especially with Wemby going down, it seemed like he had it won. And now, it’s right there. So, 1 million percent, and I’ll continue to build that case with these last 13 games. But tonight, I think, was a prime example.”

Pardon his imaginary percentages. Green is on to something.

Like the season opened up for the Warriors when they acquired Jimmy Butler, a path toward a second Defensive Player of the Year Award may have revealed itself when Spurs center Victor Wembanyama went down for the season short of the 65-game minimum for postseason awards.

With Wembanyama out of the picture, the award is within Green’s grasp. He has the second-best odds in Vegas, behind only Cleveland big Evan Mobley. He’s the anchor of the second rated defense in the league since the All-Star break and ranks 10th in the league in stocks (steals plus blocks) per game.

Against the Bucks, Green blew up everything Milwaukee wanted to do by holding up in isolation against Antetokounmpo as few players can. When he was directly defending the “Greek Freak,” Antetokounmpo shot 0-for-6.

The only time Milwaukee had consistent success was when Green’s teammates over-helped when Green was defending Antetokounmpo’s drives, leaving shooters open. Antetokounmpo’s 5-for-16 night was his worst shooting game of the season. He scored 20 points, 10 fewer than his season average.

Green stuffed Antetokounmpo twice, broke up a pick-and-roll pass to him from the weak side, rejected a Lillard 3-pointer and turned around Taurean Prince. His activity frees up Butler and other perimeter ball hawks to take more risks in passing lanes.

Steve Kerr has said it before, but it certainly rang true loudly on Tuesday night: “He’s the best defender I’ve ever seen.”

When it comes to Defensive Player of the Year — an award voted on by media members — Green is quick to point out that statistics don’t paint the whole picture.

Green, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, arguably the three best defenders of the century, have combined for two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Rudy Gobert has four trophies. Gobert is an undoubtedly excellent defensive anchor who racks up blocks and has lifted up lackluster teammates in the regular season, but has gotten played off the court in certain playoff matchups.

This season, Green has won some of the toughest frontcourt matchups in the league: Paolo Banchero, Zion Williamson, and now Antetokounmpo. The Warriors have often started him at center in the second half, leveraging his unique ability to switch onto any position while also protecting the rim.

He’s broken up 2-on-1 fast breaks with his instincts and made lineups with multiple one-dimensional, offensive-leaning players passable.

And he plans to continue updating his resume. Even if voters don’t get to see him up close like Butler does.

“When you look at this award, it’s widely based off statistics,” Green said. “And those statistics don’t always tell the story. Some guys get the stats and get picked on. Some guys get the stats and can be a liability to their defense, they take too many chances and their defense breaks down. We don’t do that. Sometimes you get punished for it. But: championships, championship, championships.”

“I want another one.”