If Draymond Green keeps playing at such an elite level at both ends of the floor, can he follow in Stephen Curry’s footsteps as an NBA MVP candidate?
To suggest that Draymond Green could be pursuing Stephen Curry as a potential 2015-16 NBA MVP candidate may sound ridiculous to some — mostly because it is. Even after coming back from a brief spell on the sideline due to a shin injury, Curry shot 57.1 percent from the floor to score 30 points in his return. He does that effortlessly, and he gives the Golden State Warriors their magic, their superstar power, their best offensive weapon, and the league’s MVP.
The way Curry’s been playing has become a new kind of spectacle now. His shooting range and release have always been special to watch, and as if he wasn’t already good enough last season, his numbers have soared even higher now.
To be MVP already and then add 5.9 points per game to your tally while shooting better from all over the floor seems almost too good to be true. Along with the general brilliance of his talent, the way he keeps getting better has made basketball fans and hopeful kids everywhere want to be just like him. This kind of off-court impact is yet another way in which his campaign to repeat as MVP will be strengthened for 2016.
However, while Curry is still the Warriors’ MVP and the probably the MVP of the league, Draymond Green is following closer in his footsteps then you might think.
No, he’s not the same unbelievable shooter and scorer, but Green is clearly the superior defender, who has majorly improved every aspect of his game. With career-highs across the board in points (15), rebounds (9.5), assists (7.5), and blocks (1.4) per game, not to mention highs in three-point percentage (41.5) and PER (20.2) as well, there’s no way to deny just how much Green has evolved this season.
Whether he’s getting a defensive stop, running the offense with quick passes or burying threes, Green can take over so many facets of a game and control possession after possession at both ends of the floor.
With seven triple-doubles, Green is easily in front of second place Rajon Rondo (four) when it comes to the league leaders. Seeing as Russell Westbrook is the only player with more than one and he still only has three, the incredible versatility of Green is on a level above pretty much everyone else. And what’s even more impressive about this is that Draymond’s performance can’t solely be told by numbers, as his box-score-stuffing ways don’t even serve his exceptional defense justice.
Although, being tied with the great Wilt Chamberlain for 4th in Warriors history with eight career triple-doubles (per ESPN Stats & Info), and being just the 15th player in NBA history to record three straight triple-doubles and only the fifth in the last 20 seasons to do so (as Sports Center pointed out), is a pretty nice accolade for Green to add to his resumé.
It’s not just the triple doubles and big numbers, though. Because what Green does as one of the top few defenders in the NBA and now as a shooter, a playmaker and power-forward-floor-general, is take the best team in basketball to a new level. Besides the phenom that is Curry, Green has easily been the second biggest factor in allowing the Warriors to improve and reach a 32-2 start.
His playmaking and improved shooting have made him a top two-way threat, while he’s without a doubt the best defender on the team. Considering he can guard multiple position — both in the post and on the perimeter — and can be utilized in so many various ways in so many different lineups, his diversity gives him immense value. That kind of unique impact has allowed him to both raise the Warriors’ offensive rating by 15.5 points per 100 possessions and lower the offensive rating of their opponents by 12.3 whenever he’s in the game.
That’s the kind of stuff that MVP candidates are made of.
So, what about the rest of the league? The Warriors and these two stars are great and all, but there are other teams out there, too.
Of course, there’s LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, who are still the class of the Eastern Conference. He’s leading the way, but until the Cavs approach the level of the Warriors or the San Antonio Spurs, it’s hard to pick LeBron as the most valuable player in the league if he, along with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Co., can’t carry the team to superior heights.
As for the dynamic duo from the Oklahoma City Thunder, it’s hard to separate the two. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have led their team to a 24-11 record and 3rd place in the West, and their talent allows the Thunder to be a constant force and title contender. Yet, while both are easily be MVP candidates this year, the matter of separating the two is going to be difficult now they’re both around and healthy. Which is more important: Durant’s higher efficiency and scoring prowess, or Westbrook’s all-around impact? It’s a tough call for anyone to make.
Then there’s the San Antonio Spurs, and their new two-way superstar Kawhi Leonard. He’s the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, so conversations for that award are going to be close between him and Green all season. When it comes to their MVP standing as of this moment, Kawhi is ahead simply due to the fact he’s been exceptional all season, whereas Green is still on the rise.
The problem for Kawhi’s chances, though, is that the Spurs, as always, have so many players that are vital to the team’s success. This makes him extremely similar to Green, of course, although Green has the benefit of being on the NBA’s very best team to give him an edge. Plus, the Spurs still lead opponents by 12.8 points per 100 possessions when Leonard is on the bench, whereas the Warriors trail by 8.3 points while Green isn’t on the floor.
When considering Green’s potential MVP-standing among these players, if he keeps producing like he is, it’s unfair to totally dismiss him from the conversation.
When putting Green’s personal performance and numbers aside, he obviously benefits from the fact that he isn’t doing everything by himself. He’s on the best team in the league, and that isn’t always something MVP favorites have. However, his play is allowing the Warriors to threaten the best record of all time — the 72-10 of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.
Besides Curry, no other candidates can come close to saying the same thing.
Of course, Green is lucky enough to have such a talented team around him, but without his development and two-way presence, the Warriors’ exciting, potentially-best-in-history level isn’t possible at all. It’s the kind of breakout that can make people first time MVP candidates, and as no one is going to place him ahead of Curry, surely we can accept that Green is good enough to at least have candidacy potential, or even second-place potential with the pace the Warriors are on?
You may have read this thinking that Green isn’t close to being an MVP candidate, and he isn’t until he continues performing at this level for the months ahead.
Equally, you may have read this thinking that Green has actually been more important than others around the league. He’s still the anchor that holds the defense of the NBA’s best team together and a drastically improved playmaker who’s performing at a historic level right now.
If this continues, he’s on his way to his first All-Star appearance and quite possibly a surprising amount of attention in the MVP race for the runners-up behind Curry.
Draymond Green’s diverse ability at both ends of the floor gives the Warriors their backbone and fundamental foundation, and he deserves recognition for it.