He’s not-so-Green with envy
Warriors’ stud defender says Raptors’ Leonard is good, but not as good as he is
The battle for the NBA’s defensive player of the year honours has begun.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green made as much clear earlier this week.
The winner of the award in 2016-17, Green twice said he was gunning for it again, insulted and still seething over finishing a “disrespectful” sixth in voting for the honour last season, which went to Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz.
“I need that. I need that bad. Real bad. I made second team all-defence last year,” he told reporters after Golden State’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
“I’m pissed about that still. And I’ll be pissed until I right that. So that’s a serious goal of mine this year. And I’m on it every night, so yeah.”
The top threat to that goal, which would make him eligible to sign a supermax extension this summer, according to Green — the Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard.
“I got much respect for him,” Green told Yahoo Sports on Tuesday. “But I think I’m the best. If you want my honest opinion, there’s no one in the (contemporary) category with me but Kawhi.”
Leonard, a two-time winner of the defensive player of the year award himself, leads Toronto in total rebounds (7.8) and steals (2.0) so far this season, not to mention the dominant presence he has brought to the Raptors’ lineup that has helped the team dispose the likes of the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers without putting together a complete performance.
Green’s numbers are quite similar, with 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals in nine games.
Battling for an end-of-season award may not be at the forefront of Leonard’s mind like it is for Green.
Leonard said the compliment was “great” but he is still working on getting back to his best after missing the bulk of last season through injury.
“It’s only … eight games so far,” Leonard said on Thursday.
“It’s a long season but I appreciate the support. (Green) does a tremendous effort of going out every night and trying to defend one of the best players on the court.” Leonard came away from Tuesday night’s win over the 76ers with a season-high four steals.
The 27-year-old said it’s a natural reaction more than anything: if the ball is in front of him and he feels he can poke at it without losing his defensive position, he will try and go for it.
“His understanding and the athleticism to do it are both really at a high level, and they’re gifts,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.
“From our standpoint we are just happy our guys are engaged and wanting to use those gifts. They want to play defence, they’re engaged in it. ”
Toronto embarked on a fourgame, seven-day road trip following an optional practice at home on Thursday morning, their first lengthy road swing of the season. Part of the trip will see Leonard return to his hometown of Los Angeles to take on LeBron James and the Lakers on Sunday, following a test against the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Sunday’s game is the start of Toronto’s third back-to-back this season. The Raptors have rested Leonard for at least one game in each of their previous two back-to-backs, but both player and coach went into the trip expecting Leonard to play against the Utah Jazz.