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Ricardo Sandoval is a Newsweek contributor based in Los Angeles, CA. His focus is sports content. Ricardo has been with Newsweek since 2024 and also writes for On SI for the Lakers, Bucks, Celtics, Pacers, and Trail Blazers sites. Ricardo also is a staff writer for Dodgers Nation. He is a graduate of California State University Northridge. You can get in touch with Ricardo by emailing r.klein@newsweek.com. You can also follow Ricardo on X @_RicardoSand
Ricardo Klein
Contributing Sports Writer
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Golden State Warriors star defensive maestro Draymond Green believes he deserves another Defensive Player for the Year award.
After his impressive outing in Tuesday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, Green made his case on the court and campaigned for himself postgame.
“Obviously, if we keep winning and close this year out strong, most definitely,” Green said when asked if he thinks he has a case to be named the league’s best defender. “I look around the league and 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 an entire team’s offense the way I do. One thousand percent.
Draymond Green on DPOY: “I want another one.”
“Especially with Wemby going down. It seemed like he had it won. Now it’s right there.”
“One million percent I have a case and I’ll continue to build that case.” pic.twitter.com/Xzww4H8etz
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 19, 2025
Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 18, 2025 in San Francisco, California. The…
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Green didn’t stop there. He also added how the absence of Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has helped his cause.
“Especially with Wemby going down, seemed like he had it won. And now it is right there. So 1 million percent I have a case, and I will continue to build that case for these next 13 games. Tonight was a prime example of that.”
Wembanyama is ruled out for the rest of the season due to blood clots in his right shoulder.
Green was phenomenal in Tuesday’s contest against the Bucks. As the primary defender on two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, he held him to 0-of-6 shooting in over seven minutes as the primary defender. Green ended the game with a block underneath the basket on Antetokounmpo.
While Green will certainly be in the conversation, he has some steep competition. Other players in the running are Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., the LA Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, and Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort.
If you ask Green’s teammates, or coaches, it’s a no-brainer that he belongs in the conversation or should be considered the favorite.
“Draymond, that defense tonight on Giannis was incredible,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Green. “To hold him to five field goals, Draymond showed why he is still one of the great defenders in the world. It wasn’t just the defense; it was the leadership, the energy.”
Green last won the award in the 2016-17 season.
The Warriors have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last month. They are 15-4 since Feb. 6 and are ranked sixth in offensive rating and second in defensive rating.
More news: 76ers Nightmare Season Continues as Paul George Will Miss Remainder of Season
Suns Owner Mat Ishbia Says Team Will Never Trade Devin Booker Amid Rumors
Warriors Set to Welcome Back Forward Jonathan Kuminga
For more NBA and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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Top storiesAbout the writer
Ricardo Sandoval is a Newsweek contributor based in Los Angeles, CA. His focus is sports content. Ricardo has been with Newsweek since 2024 and also writes for On SI for the Lakers, Bucks, Celtics, Pacers, and Trail Blazers sites. Ricardo also is a staff writer for Dodgers Nation. He is a graduate of California State University Northridge. You can get in touch with Ricardo by emailing r.klein@newsweek.com. You can also follow Ricardo on X @_RicardoSand
Ricardo Klein
Ricardo Sandoval is a Newsweek contributor based in Los Angeles, CA. His focus is sports content. Ricardo has been with Newsweek since 2024 and also writes …
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