Draymond Green’s clutch defense on Luka Doncic earns $100M star DPOY vote

NBA legend Kendrick Perkins had high praise for Warriors star Draymond Green after witnessing his defensive masterclass against the Lakers.

Draymond Green’s clutch defense on Luka Doncic earns $100M star DPOY vote

Draymond Green

The Los Angeles Lakers’ climb to a 50-win season and a top-four seed got hindered tonight as they lost to the Golden State Warriors 116-123. This is due to Draymond Green‘s strong defensive play against Luka Doncic, which completed an outstanding performance all around. The effort made Green’s longtime critic and former NBA player, Kendrick Perkins, heap praise on the Warriors defender.

Throughout the game, Green had a strong hold on Doncic. His performance did not go unnoticed, with Perkins already giving him DPOY shouts. The ESPN analyst took to his official X account to make his intentions clear regarding Green and the 2025 NBA DPOY Award. In addition, Green has remained a crucial player for the Warriors in defense throughout the season.

Tell yall right now @Money23Green is getting my Vote for DPOY.

Kendrick Perkins wrote on X

Against the Lakers, Green pulled off a clutch defensive moment. With 38.1 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Warriors were defending a 119-113 lead. Doncic tried to make a shot near the rim as the Lakers advanced. Green, however, thwarted his intentions by grabbing the ball and blocking the shot. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 123-116 on the road thanks in large part to this.

After playing 34 minutes, the four-time champion finished with eight points, eleven rebounds, five assists, and one block. Green’s defensive clutch play received a lot of attention on social media, leading to calls for him to win Defensive Player of the Year before the season was over. Even Green believed that he deserves the DPOY. Hence, only time will tell whether or not the Warriors star wins the decorated award.

Draymond Green makes his case clear on the 2025 DPOY award

When Green led the NBA in steals per game during his 2016–17 season with the Warriors, he finally claimed the award after finishing second to Kawhi Leonard in two DPOY elections in 2015 and 2016. The 2024–25 season remains one of the “best chances” for Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green to earn a second Defensive Player of the Year Award. At least, this is what he felt.

Give ’em young guys their credit, I think what they’re doing is amazing. I think this is one of the last, best chances I’ll have [to win DPOY].

Draymond Green said

After all Victor Wembanyama, the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year at the end of his rookie season, missed the rest of his second NBA season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder. Hence, Green is aiming to win the DPOY this spring.

In 61 games and 59 starts this season, Green has averaged 1.5 steals, the most since he placed third in the 2021 DPOY vote, and 1.0 blocks and 5.1 defensive rebounds per game. There is a possibility that the four-time champion could win again this season.

NBA legend Reggie Miller makes a straightforward remark regarding Draymond Green’s DPOY chances

Draymond Green‘s clutch defensive play against the Los Angeles Lakers has been making rounds in the NBA community. NBA legend Reggie Miller, who was commentating during the game on TNT, did not hold back on his assessment of Green. Miller clearly stated that Green should be given the 2025 DPOY award on air.

Give him the trophy already.

Reggie Miller said on TNT

Despite having just one block after the game, Green’s defensive leadership enabled the team to defeat their Pacific Division opponent. The four-time champion is among the favorites to take home the award. At first, the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama was the clear favorite to win DPOY until the injury ruined his season. Hence, the race for DPOY is wide open.