The Golden State Warriors have a chance to clinch an appearance in the second round of the NBA Playoffs with a win over the Houston Rockets Wednesday night.
Things weren’t easy for the Warriors this season, however. At one point, they were the No. 12 seed in a loaded Western Conference.
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Sensing the urgency to make a move, General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. sent Andrew Wiggins as part of a deal to acquire six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun posts up against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Draymond Green makes promise to NBA
Immediately following the trade, the Warriors started rolling. Butler proved to be exactly what the doctor, or in this case, Dunleavy Jr., ordered.
They quickly ascended the standings and had a chance to clinch a spot in the playoffs, but dropped two of their final three games to close out the regular season.
During the Warriors’ run, Draymond Green saw his odds for to win Defensive Player of the Year shift dramatically.
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His odds were +8000 on February 20, and went to -160 as of April 18. While Green was named as a finalist for the award, it was Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley who took home the hardware.
Green took the news positively and talked about it on his podcast with Baron Davis.
“To be in the conversation at 35, still playing at an elite level, I got no shame in it,” Green said. “I’ll show up next year, throw my name back in the hat, and be right there again.”
Green also praised Mobley.
“Congratulations to Evan Mobley. I’ve been a fan of his since USC,” Green said. “I had so many conversations with Kenny last summer just about what Mobley can become and I’m happy as hell to see him get that.”
Having a player like Green who can guard both the perimeter and have the strength to guard the other team’s big man has proven invaluable to the Warriors over the years.
Putting a player like Green beside Butler was a gamble, since they’re both considered big personalities. But, at least so far, the roll of the dice has paid off massively for Dunleavy Jr. and the Warriors.