In the 2021-22 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors are doing it all. They have the best record in the league and are looking like the favorites to win it all this season. While the Dubs’ offense has always been supreme, this season the team is focusing more on defense as well.
Currently, the Warriors have the best defensive rating in the league, and of course, at the helm of it is none other than Draymond Green. Green is considered to be one of the most elite defenders in the NBA.
This season, the former DPOY winner is looking forward to bagging the second DPOY award of his career. But usually, defensive stars like Green are usually not the major focus of the media covering the game. After all, most fans want to see razzle-dazzle plays such as shots from impossible angles or a vicious dunk.
Draymond was asked about his thoughts on the same after the Dubs’ comfortable 105-90 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers:
“Just like defense never goes viral because half the people don’t know what the hell they’re looking at. It’s so easy to say, ‘Oh man, this guy made a shot. He got hot.’ We all can f*****g see that, so can my kids. But on the defensive end, it’s a little different. You have to actually know what you’re looking at in order to dissect and pull it apart. Most people don’t.”
(starts at 6:58)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7udBsQ7dWSA
Just like Green explained, most people have no clue what is happening on the defensive side of the game. The reason is quite obvious, most of the things on the defensive end happen when no one is focusing on the defenders. Like cutting passing lanes, etc.
Well, whatever be the case, at least the Warriors have figured everything out on the defensive end so far this season. Additionally, Stephen Curry, who was never considered a great defender in his career, has improved a lot. In fact, Green heaped huge praise on Steph for his efforts this season.
The way that the Warriors are playing, they are certainly heading towards another great end to the season. But can they lift another NBA trophy? Well, if they continue at this pace, there is no doubt about it.
