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Draymond Green reacts to losing DPOY

By CM Towle

Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates after a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates after a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was thoughtful, but not defensive about losing the DPOY award.

Warriors forward Draymond Green did not win the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award, even though he received more first-place votes than the actual winner, Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard. Green wasn’t defensive or overtly upset about it though, instead he compared his loss to former presidential candidate Al Gore who lost the presidency despite winning the popular vote.

"“Al Gore won the popular vote and didn’t get elected president, so I’m not gonna sit here and kill myself over not winning Defensive Player of the Year. We’ve got a bigger goal. That’s to win a championship.” (via NBA Hang Time)"

He’s definitely right about that. His Warriors are in New Orleans on Thursday for Game 3 of the first round of the NBA playoffs vs the Pelicans. Golden State has already won the first two games and are looking to take the next two in Pelicans territory. It’s not the first award that the best team in the NBA has lost. Earlier in the week, coach Steve Kerr lost the Coach of the Year award to the Hawks Mike Budenholzer.

Like Green, he finished second, but unlike Green, he really did finish second.

Green had nothing but good things to say about Leonard though. He called him a phenomenal defender and said that he impacts the defensive side of things just as much as anyone else in the league. Green also added that Leonard is a champion and there’s no shame in losing to such a great player.

But surely he’s disappointed about not winning, right?  Of course, Green said. He said he was naturally disappointed as anyone would be, but made sure to say that he wasn’t angry that the winner wasn’t him.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr echoed Green’s disappointment and said there was no argument over Leonard winning, but he and the rest of the Warriors were shocked that nearly one-third of the voters left Green off their ballots completely.

That’s definitely warranted when you realize that not only are the Warriors the best team in the NBA, but they’re the number one ranked defensive team as well. To leave Green off the ballot entirely, not just giving his first-place votes to Leonard, but not putting him on the ballot in any capacity, seems like a huge oversight.

Steph Curry and other Warriors players felt the same way. Curry said he couldn’t believe that Green was so close to getting the first-place award and yet a good chunk of voters completely left him off their ballots.

However, Green remained philosophical, saying that he didn’t come into the season to win DPOY, but to win a championship. Ultimately, it would have been great to see Green recognized for his contributions on defense, but what he, the Warriors, and the Warriors fans want now is a championship.

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