Kendrick Perkins thinks the race for the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year is over.
We are left with less than two weeks in the NBA regular season. While teams battle for Playoff positioning on the standings, players are fighting to secure their spot in postseason awards conversations.
Everyone knows the MVP battle has raged on between Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but some other awards have gone under the radar. One of these awards was Defensive Player of the Year, which everybody widely assumed that Victor Wembanyama would win with ease after a historic season.
However, Wembanyama’s untimely season-ending injury left him ineligible for the award. A race between options like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Evan Mobley has been raging on, but a late-season contender has emerged who might just win this race.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins thinks that a key Golden State Warriors forward has proven enough to be awarded this year’s DPOY award.
Draymond Green has made it abundantly clear that he wants to win Defensive Player of the Year this season.
It seems Green’s persuasion and the Warriors’ red-hot form over the last two months are convincing people. Kendrick Perkins threw his support behind Green after his defensive performance in a 123-116 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Tell y’all right now Draymond Green is getting my Vote for DPOY.”
Draymond put up eight points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in the win. He was unquestionably the Warriors’ best defensive player,r but the performance wasn’t necessarily DPOY caliber.
If the Warriors somehow finish the season as the No. 4 seed with Draymond’s strong defense persisiting, he legitimately might be able to win his second DPOY award.
There have been plenty of other performances from Green over recent weeks which show why he should be a contender for the award.
It’s not a stretch to say Draymond Green agrees with Kendrick Perkins. But Draymond’s concerted push to be awarded DPOY started after an incredible outing against the Milwaukee Bucks. Green held Giannis Antetokounmpo to 5-16 from the field and made his case in the post-game interview.
“If we keep winning and close this year out strong, most definitely… When I look around the league, I don’t see many players impact the game on the defensive end like I do. I don’t see many players completely throwing off an entire team’s offense the way I do, so 1000%.”
Green is one of the most impactful defenders in the NBA. He’s one of the true defenders who can effectively guard all five positions. In addition, Green’s active hands and strength allow him to be a menace on the perimeter as well as the post.
Few players can guard like Green. However, you could argue the same for contenders like Jaren Jackson and Evan Mobley. It’ll be interesting to see who wins this race, as it is clearly coming down to the wire.
