Well, well, well… if you thought Draymond Green could escape the drama this season, think again. The Golden State Warriors just had their hearts shattered by a 124–119 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on April 13, 2025, and it all came down to a moment that could haunt Draymond forever. Tied at 119 in the final moments of overtime, Green had a wide-open layup with 26 seconds left to tie the game. It was a moment where he could’ve been the hero—but instead, he missed the layup, leaning back, almost like he was trying to draw a foul. Spoiler alert: No foul was called, and the Clippers secured the win. The Warriors, now stuck in the play-in tournament, can thank Draymond’s missed opportunity for their fate.

Let’s be honest for a sec—Draymond Green has built an entire brand around chaos, especially in crunch time. But this latest blunder? Yeah… this one had Warriors fans collectively screaming into the void.

And it’s not even new territory for him. Remember the 2021 Play-In against the Grizzlies? Draymond had a shot to win it, drove into the lane, pulled up for a floater… and missed. Later, he straight-up admitted he lost track of the clock. Not exactly what you want to hear from your veteran defensive anchor in a do-or-die moment, but hey—that’s Draymond.

He’s unpredictable, wild, and somehow always in the middle of the storm. Love him or lose-your-mind-because-of-him, Draymond never stops giving us something to talk about.

But let’s not pile on too much—he’s still the heart and soul of the Warriors’ defense. His leadership is vital, and when he’s on point, he’s a game-changer. It’s just that sometimes, that point seems to wander off for a minute when it’s crunch time.

Kerr’s Plea: Will It Go Down Like a Sad, Overcooked Steak?

Now, this is where things get juicy. Warrior’s head coach Steve Kerr has been on a mission lately, waving his green flag for his Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Draymond Green. Kerr has been hyping Green like he’s about to hit the “final boss” level in a video game. “He’s the best defender I’ve ever seen,” Kerr said.

Steve Kerr definitely rides hard for his guys—coach-player bias and all—but when it comes to Draymond Green, he really goes in. We’re talking Dennis Rodman meets Scottie Pippen… with a splash of Steve Irwin. Yep, Kerr actually said that.

It’s passionate, it’s poetic… it’s also kinda hilarious. But hey, that’s Kerr—always going to bat for his guy. Now, whether this heartfelt praise turns into playoff fuel or just fades away like some forgotten Instagram quote from 2021? That part’s still up to Draymond.

It’s not just talk, though. Draymond’s been busting out the highlights like he’s got a season pass to the “best defense ever” show. He held Giannis Antetokounmpo to a humiliating 0-for-7 shooting in a game earlier this year. If that doesn’t scream “Defensive Player of the Year,” I don’t know what does. Heck, he even snagged the Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month award for March. He’s been absolutely slapping it on defense when it counts.

But here’s the kicker: despite all this, Green’s recent slip-up in crunch time and the Warriors’ playoff struggles could make Kerr’s impassioned plea look like a tragic Greek drama. You know, the kind where everyone’s standing around shouting, “WHY DID YOU MISS THE LAYUP, DRAYMOND?!”

Speaking of Defensive Player of the Year, this race is hotter than a 3:00 AM taco truck. Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been doing his thing, locking down the paint and making life difficult for offensive players. If we’re talking about who should win the title, Mobley is pretty much the consensus favorite. But let’s pump the brakes because Draymond Green has been steadily climbing up the DPOY rankings like a man possessed.

With Mobley still a strong frontrunner, Green has quietly been inching closer, and some sportsbooks even have him as the favorite now. That’s right: Draymond Green, despite the late-game meltdowns, might just be the DPOY you never saw coming. If we’re being real, it’s going to come down to the final stretch of games, and every clutch defensive moment Green racks up in the play-in tournament will make him even more of a candidate.

Let’s not forget, though: Mobley has been a beast for Cleveland, guarding every player in the galaxy and single-handedly turning the Cavaliers into a defensive juggernaut. But hey, if Green can rebound from this setback and show up big-time in the play-in, maybe Kerr’s plea won’t be in vain. Maybe Green will finish the season with a DPOY trophy and a playoff berth.

As the Warriors enter the play-in tournament, it’s now up to Draymond Green to redeem himself—and perhaps to prove that his earlier slip-up was just a weird blip in the universe of Warriors basketball. Kerr’s passionate plea for his defensive prowess still rings out, but as the stakes grow higher, it’s clear: Green needs to prove it on the floor.

If he can step up, rally the Warriors, and finally hit those clutch moments when it counts (no pressure, Draymond, no pressure), then maybe, just maybe, Kerr’s call won’t be a wasted effort. The man is an emotional rollercoaster, but if there’s anyone who can bounce back, it’s Green—because, like it or not, his legacy in Golden State is more than just those missed shots. He’s a warrior in every sense of the word, and if the Warriors are going to make noise in the post-season, it’s going to be thanks to his defense.

But until then, let’s all just pray Draymond’s layups go down. For the sake of Kerr’s sanity and the Warriors’ playoff hopes.