NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from the Warriors sweep of the Jazz

3. Draymond Green, not Curry or Durant, is the Warriors’ postseason MVP

After adding Kevin Durant in the offseason, many thought the Klay Thompson and Draymond Green would be relegated to lesser roles. Kevin Durant has been stellar in the playoffs, as has Stephen Curry, but nobody has the nightly impact that Draymond Green does on the Warriors. It may not be evident in looking at the stats sheet after the game, but while watching the game, Green’s impact on both of the ends of floor is tremendous.

One of the knocks on Green has been his lack of emotional control in intense situations in the playoffs. Last year, he was routinely yelling at referees, drawing technical fouls and even the occasional high-kicking. This year, it’s been a composed Draymond Green leading the way for the Warriors’ efficient success in the postseason. He’s only drawn one technical foul so far and he has a better understanding of where to draw that line. Without head coach Steve Kerr, Green has taken more of a leadership role with the team and has thrived in it.

The competitive edge, toughness and energy that the Warriors’ defensive star plays with on a nightly basis cannot be quantified in the box score. But on numerous occasions, Green led the fastbreak, making the right pass that led to a Warriors’ transition-triple. In other situations, No. 23 will drive to the basket and lay it in, while also drawing the foul. He’s so animated, you can usually hear the “and-1!” on television and see him flex, showing off his dominance and strength.

Green has been an absolute monster this postseason, averaging 14.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. Couple that with what he does on the defensive end, getting 2.0 steals and 2.6 blocks nightly, and it’s evident that he’s the Warriors’ postseason MVP. Defensively against the Jazz, he switched on to smaller guys, like Johnson or Hayward and also bigger guys like Gobert or Favors. Green’s a fearless player on the defensive end of the floor, which is where his biggest imprint on the game is.

The ex-Michigan State product will likely win Defensive Player of the Year, but if the Warriors were voting for a team MVP in the playoffs, he should be the pick.