Draymond Green expected better from one of his major rivals in the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award race.
Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors got a crucial win over the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. It was a big step in the Dubs closing the gap over Memphis in the standings.
With this win, the Warriors now move to fifth in the Western Conference. This showdown was unique because it featured two of the candidates for this year’s Defensive Player of the Year award – Draymond Green and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The 2017 winner has been vocal about wanting to win a second DPOY award. Green even identified his approach as he makes a push for the accolade.
But not everyone is convinced about Green’s chances. Former winner Tony Allen believes Green is behind two other players in the race. But Draymond wants another contender to step up his game.
Read More: Cavaliers or Grizzlies might end up paying a big financial price because of Victor Wembanyama’s season-ending injury
Draymond Green spoke after the Warriors’ win over the Grizzlies. When talking about Jaren Jackson Jr. getting ejected, a frustrated Green asked the young player to take the next step.
Draymond identified where he is going wrong, specifically giving away some silly fouls. For a former DPOY, just like Green, this has to end at some point.
“I’m disappointed in Jaren. I have a lot of love for him, he’s my Spartan. He’s too good to still be getting in foul trouble. A couple of those he picked up, he can stay away from those.
“It’s time for him to take that next step in that department. It was huge for us for him to get out of the game. I’m happy he did. But I am a Jaren fan. I always will be. To see him still getting some of those fouls, you can’t do that.”
Draymond is earnestly supportive of Jackson Jr., who played for his alma mater – the Michigan State Spartans.
Read More: What Miami Heat did to Golden State Warriors was ‘unheard of’, claims Draymond Green
It would not be unfair to argue that Jaren Jackson Jr. hasn’t been the same since his Defensive Player of the Year award win in 2023.
The Grizzlies star has had a rough go of it. One could even make the argument that he has fallen off as a player since that win.
Green is far from the first to criticize JJJ for his performances. Richard Jefferson also demanded that Jackson Jr. improve his game recently.
The Grizzlies as a team are in disarray, with teammates fighting and coaches getting fired. This might explain why JJJ’s slump has gone under the radar.
