Kendrick Perkins explains his sudden U-turn on Draymond Green’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year campaign.
For the majority of the 2024-25 NBA season, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama looked all set to take home the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
However, following a season-ending injury, Wemby’s case for the honor fell flat. It opened up opportunities for players like Lu Dort, Draymond Green, and Evan Mobley.
Speaking of which, NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins advocated for Green’s case to win the second DPOY of his career. But the former NBA player recently changed his stance.
Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green has been the defensive anchor of the team for the majority of his NBA career.
In fact, he was named the 2016-17 NBA DPOY for his contributions to the Warriors dynasty. After that, Green’s defensive prowess significantly decreased before regaining it this season.
That was a key reason behind Big Perk backing Green to win the honor, but he changed his stance after watching the Warriors star’s performances in two major losses.
“I change like the weather… In those two games, he’s looking kind of funny. In one game against the [Houston] Rockets, [Apleren] Sengun was busting his a__.
“Then we go into the last game of the season against the [LA] Clippers… I’m watching that game, I’m looking at him and he’s going against big [Ivica] Zubac, who by the way I voted most improved player.
“I’m watching Draymond go on Zubac, when they throw it on the low block, they were double teaming.”
The above-mentioned games had lasting impact on Perkins and resulted in the ESPN analyst changing his vote to OKC Thunder’s Lu Dort.
“I was like ‘no, no, no’, if your the defensive player of the year, there’s no help. I got him straight up, there’s no double teaming on that.”
But does that mean he completely took Green off his list? No.
“When I get to my ballot, I got to go number one defensive team, and Lu Dort. But I did vote Draymond second.”
Could Perkins’ vote be the difference maker for Green’s dreams of winning another DPOY? Fans will find out sooner rather than later.
