“I spent all summer listening to people talk about Chet and Wemby and what they’re doing defensively. Don’t forget about Dray.” This is what Draymond Green said about himself on 31st October of last year. Now, he has clarified what he thinks about this statement with awards night almost here. His Tuesday actions, according to the four-time champion, improve his chances.

Green completely shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Warriors’ win (104-93), holding him to zero points on six missed attempts. No matter how hard the 2x MVP tried to find his rhythm, Green had an answer for everything, making life miserable for the Bucks star.

No doubt the 2016-17’s DPOY has been pretty good on defense these past 15 matches, averaging 5.8 defensive rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.7 steals. But is he really a contender for the DPOY this season? Well, here’s what the man himself had to say.

“I think, you know, obviously, if we keep winning and close this year out strong, most definitely,” Green said when asked about his candidacy. “I look around the league, and I don’t see many players impacting the game on the defensive end the way I do.” It’s true. Nobody plays defense as intensely as Draymond!

Green didn’t stop there, emphasizing how his presence disrupts opposing offenses in ways few players can. “I don’t see many players completely throwing off entire teams’ offenses the way I do. So one thousand percent, especially with Wemby going down—it seemed like he had it won. And now, it’s right there.”

Everyone considered Victor Wembanyama to become the frontrunner for DPOY before suffering a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder in late February, ruling him out for the rest of the season. His absence has left the race wide open as he does not qualify for the minimum 65 games required to be eligible for the award. And Dray believes his recent performances strengthen his case.

“One million percent, I have a case, and I’ll continue to build that case for these next 13 games,” Green said. “Tonight, I think, was a prime example of that.”

The Warriors star is betting on himself. But the French phenom before being sidelined was something else. Wemby’s December was nothing short of legendary. No player in NBA history had ever pulled off what he did—dropping 300 points while grabbing 100 rebounds, dishing out 50 assists, swatting 50 shots, and draining 40 threes in just one month.

The reigning Rookie of the Year had already checked off some of the rarest feats in basketball—dropping a 50-point game, recording a 10-block performance, and putting up a dominant 5×5 stat line. Since the NBA began tracking blocks in 1973-74, only two other players have accomplished all three in a single season—David Robinson in 1992-93 and Hakeem Olajuwon in 1989-90. That puts Wembanyama in legendary company.

But now it’s Draymond Green eyeing his name on an exclusive list. Multi-time DPOY. Joining only 10 others on the list. His name will be etched with the likes of Dwight Howard (3x), Ben Wallace (4x), and Rudy Gobert (4x).

His impact against Milwaukee wasn’t just about numbers—it was about setting the tone. Alongside him, Jimmy Butler delivered a performance that reminded everyone why he thrives in high-pressure moments. Jimmy’s cookin’ since coming to the Warriors!

Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler led the Warriors to victory without Steph

The Golden State Warriors pulled off a stunning comeback after a rough loss to a depleted Nuggets squad. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks 104-93 without Steph Curry on the floor.

Jimmy Butler showed up like it was playoff time. In 37 minutes, he scored 24 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. Butler remained unfazed when the Bucks erased a 17-point deficit to take a six-point lead. He stayed locked in, hit every free throw in his 11 attempts, and kept his team’s momentum alive.

Green’s box score might seem modest—three points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and four blocks—but his impact was enormous. Green disrupted every play, making life difficult for Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Bucks. Legendary coach Steve Kerr, who played with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, called Green the best defender he’s ever seen. That’s high praise coming from Kerr.

In short, this game was the ultimate bounce-back. Butler’s offensive brilliance paired with Green’s lockdown defense turned the tide for the Warriors.

The win demonstrated the Warriors’ ability to respond when faced with adversity, sparking excitement among fans for what’s to come in the postseason.