Dray's 2022 NBA Awards

fan duel sports book makes it easy. What's up, everybody? Welcome back to The Draymond Green Show. This is our episode. As we said last week, we're testing. I'm splitting the episodes into two parts. The top of the show, um where I'm sharing my thoughts and on several things, and then also the guest interview us. We've thought the guest interviews has kind of created their own lane and it's been great conversation in themselves, and just wanted to split

the two up. So here's another week of testing that out, which means we got this episode and then tomorrow we'll drop our conversation with Seth Curry, which was an amazing one. We talked a lot about uh sef journey and how he had to how most people think, you know, you're your Del curry son and your Sef, you know your Steph Curry's brother, that you just get a pass into the NBA and and that starts to work against you.

We spoke about that, the nets Uh fatherhood. We spoke about a lot of things, so I thought, you know, that was a great conversation. But we also have a lot to get into here, and number one is the Warriors. We have one two straight while having three games left,

two big ones. By the way. To win against Utah was huge because most of the poorly gave us the tiebreaker and where we would have been, if I'm not mistaken, I think our record would have been the same had we lost to them um or one game a head, but the tiebreaker, it would have come down to more

than just the had to have matchup. I think the next thing out there had to have matchup is who has the best record in their division, if I'm not mistaken, And so number one was the tiebreaker, But I think even more importantly than that was we you know, over the over the course of the last three games the Phoenix game included in which we lost. You like, there was just a sense like we had twenty one turnover so that was terrible. But yet we we we lost by I think four points UM in a game that

we could have and should have won. You you felt like ourselves again. It felt like we defended the right way. It felt like we had good intentions on moving the ball. We missed a ton of shots, UM, and so that one you just kind of felt and had a sense of like, okay, um, we're kind of getting back to the Warriors that we were earlier in the year, where we were the number one defense in the league. Like you can see that coming and it's coming out a great time. Like you we always say you want to

roll into the playoffs. You don't want to stumble into the playoffs. And so to get that win against Utah, uh, with with what was at stake and also with with the way we have been playing, um, we hadn't won any meaningful games. We hadn't won it really any games at all, and so to to kind of work ourselves out of the rut, that was a huge win. That's also a team that we can face in the playoffs, and you always say when you're facing the team that you can face in the playoffs, you want to send

a message. You want that team to think about the last time they played you on what happened. And so I think it was great from that standpoint as well. I think we also found some things that we can more, things that we can rely on with and go to. While Steph is out. You know, Jordan Poole has been playing incredible by the A Jordan Pool for for Most Improved Player, which we're gonna discuss because that deserves its own segment on this top of the show. So we're

gonna discuss that. But I think with with just the way we came out of that and then rolling into yesterday, which was to win against the Sacramento Kings, that game would have been a lot tougher had we not built the momentum we built the night before that you're coming off a loss last night gets way tougher than it was. And and you know, no, no NBA game is easy. You still gotta go out there and win the game.

You're still playing against NBA players, and so we're playing against the Sacramento Kings team, who's who's headed on vacation um pretty soon here in the next week. But the thing about playing against teams in that position is they just come out and play free. You know, they come out there, they're firing shots. You know, guys are just loosing free because nothing matters. Like you, you can do whatever you want and and there's really no repercussions repercussions,

and so they were playing that way. I think we we we punched them early and were were able to kind of hold onto that grip for the majority of the game. They went on rue run there in the fourth quarter, but for the most part, we really control the entire place of the game. And so to how those two games, uh and and kind of get those on our belt, get those two wins under our belt

and kind of rebuild the confidence of this team. I think it's great, which is heading into these last three games and we got the Lakers coming up at home on Thursday, and then we head out for back to back San Antonio in New Orleans to to close out

the season. I think the beautiful thing about all these all three of these games is they all have playoff implications, which means our guys, once again, um, who don't have a ton of experience get we'll get and have three opportunities to feel that intensity whereas you know, still to be different in the playoffs, but you will feel a playoff like atmosphere. And I think it's God's great for guys to fill that heading into the real theme because you know, you get slapped in the face by stepping

out there. You know, we play we play rookies, um part of our rotation and so um, you you want guys to get that experience and kind of feel that atmosphere and feel how you need to take that level of competition up and notch, how you need to take that level of focus up and not Everything in the playoff is ramped up a notch and every round you go, it's ramped up even more. And so I think it's great for guys to be able to have the opportunity to feel that over the course season. Next three games

we play the Lakers and the Spurs and Repelicans. All three of those teams are battling for the nine in ten spot and so uh, those are very important games. You know, both all three of those teams are gonna come out swinging, giving all they got. I think if the Lakers. Um, the Lakers could actually be eliminated if I'm not mistaken by Thursday, because I'm they play Phoenix tomorrow or by the time this drop it will be

them them playing Phoenix today, So we'll see. But no matter what, the Spurs and Repelicans are fighting for playoff positions, so those will be two two tough games, and we're still fighting for playoff position as well, and so I think it's a very interesting, um, very interesting week ahead. I think it's a great week to half for us. The Spurs have kind of had our number this year, so that will be a good game for us as well,

and I'm really looking forward to it. Uh, for everybody who hated on the playing tournament, it seems to be making for a great week, week and a half of basketball leading up to the playoffs again. And I know a lot of people hated it and didn't like the idea to player in tournament, and the NBA said, Yep, we're gonna stick with it, and it keeps creating these

interesting situations. So for those that don't like to play in tournament, I think you should get used to it, because from the looks of it is probably here to stay. I mean last year you had Lebron James, Steph Curry, um John Moran in the playing tournament this year, and Jayson Tatum in the Playing Tournament last year. And I'm sure I'm missing some very prominent names. This year you have possibly Lebron James, you have Kevin Durant and Kyrie

Era for sure. You have possibly LaMelo Ball for sure, Carl Anthony Towns possibly or possibly uh Donovan, Mitchell, Paul George like. You're actually ending up with stars in these playing games. And last year, if I'm not mistaken, the two playing games where the high or two of the highest rated games in the season for certain. And so for those of you that don't like to play a game, you may want to get used to it because it's creating some interesting situations and it is here to stay.

And moving forward, let's talk about Jordan Poole for the Most Improved Player Award. How isn't he has had twenty points and what twenty something straight games, joining Kevin Durant and Steph Curry as the only Warriors to do that in the last thirty years. If I'm not mistaken, its playing meaningful basketball. It's not like he's doing this on a team that's and fifty. You know, he's doing this on the team that's fifty and twenty nine or fifty

and twenty eight or fifty whatever we are. He's playing incredible basketball. About a year ago, he was he was almost out of NBA. He was sent to the G League because no one felt like he had it together. No one felt like he had figured at out, or we're figuring it out. And look at him now every night he's putting on the show. Had we been winning some games, he would have probably he would have one been the player of the Month in March in the Western Conference, not not rookie of the Player of the

month in the Western Conference. But due to injuries and a bunch of different things, our rotations all over the place, me coming back into the line up, Steph Curry going out of the line up, blah blah blah. We had a tough month. That does not stop what he did

and how much he has improved. So I would love to know who the voters could possibly think deserves it over him, because and looking at his entire body of work, he had one little stretch in the season where he where Clay came back, he was moved to the bench. He kind of had to figure that role out. Had a few bad games, but for the most part of the season he's been doing exactly what he's doing now on a playoff team, one of the top playoff teams. I think Jordan Pool has to be at the top

of that conversation for most improved player. I thought earlier in the year Myles Bridges was leading, and I thought earlier in the year Darius Garlands, Darius Garland was leading. But with with when you're it's the ward is most improved. Miles Bridges, who's my little bro, improved a bunch, improved a bunch. He didn't have to make as big of improvement as Jordan Pool had to make. Darius Garland, who

is my little bro, who improved a bunch? Being All star in this league for a long time, he didn't have to improve as much as Jordan Pool had to improve. And so it's not that those two guys aren't aren't aren't in the race, because I think those two guys are right up there at the top as well with Jordan's. But I think when you say the words most improved, he it goes back to this conversation of what is

the criteria. There's no real criteria. It's kind of just what someone feels when you say most improved, who improved the most. I have to say Jordan Pool improved the most and he deserves the award. So I'm interested in seeing where that goes. As we had done the stretch m v P. My m v P is Devin Booker. I think book has been consistent all year. I think UM with as good as their team has been. Again,

we go back to the conversation, there's no criteria. Some years it is the best player on the best team. Some years it's UM. You know, Russell Westbrook teams were in sixth place, but he won, and don't get me wrong, he deserved to win. But we just all wonder what's the criteria? And so however, for me, from my criteria, Devin Booker is the m v P of the NBA with its consistent as he's been, He's faced injuries, he's come back, hasn't missed the beat, their team has continued

to win. There they're they're leading the NBA in first place by a long shot. Gotta go with Devin Booker is my m v p Defensive Player of the Year is tricky for me. The reason the Defensive Player of the Year is tricky for me, it's because, like I said before, through thirty three games, I had to a war one. When I look at the following the thirty three games to follow that, I can't tell you within those thirty games or who I'm like, oh, maybe that guy,

like that guy should win. Now, like I didn't really see anyone separate themselves. So because of that, I struggled with who to pick. But if I want to put some type of criterion, then then you say, all right, look at what the Boston Celtics has done, um and how and how you know their defense changed their season. And then you look up and everybody saying Marcus Smart, which I think Marcus Smart is a hell of a defender.

I think he's an incredible defender. But before Robert Williams got hurt a week ago, everyone was saying Robert Williams was the key to the defense, and so that swear I kind of struggle there. I think Marcus Smart is a hell of a defender, don't get me wrong, but I'm just saying a week ago, before the injury, the narrative was Robert Williams was the key to their defense and why everybody is able to switch and just fundo everything to him, and he cleans all the mistakes at

the rim. And then once he got hurt, now all of a sudden, everybody's like, oh, Marcus Smarts the defensive player of the year, Hell of a defender, great defender. But how did the narrative change so fast? Is what I don't understand. That's my only question about Marcus Smart. But definitely should be in the conversation, could be deserving. Michael Bridges has to be in the conversation. Probably is the winner with with the way he's guard. I've seen him guard the hell out of some guys. What I

like about Michael Bridges is he's a good defender. He's not a good on ball defender. He's a good defender. He's good on the ball, he's good off the all. He can block shots week side, he can play passing lanes, he's in the right spot, he's always a help. He's a good defender. See, there's some defenders that compromises your defense in order to be good defenders. Michael Bridges don't

compromise your defense to be a good defender. So Michael Bridges has to be in the conversation and it's probably deserving to be the winner of it Coach of the Year. And I struggle with this when it has to be

one of two guys, I one of three guys. Email you, Doka because he may see it wasn't like the Boston Celtics was handing him after last year as the Boston Celtics that we all know they were not very good last year and they were in the playing tournament and people are talking about trade Marcus Smart and trade Jaylen Brown and all of this stuff. They started off the season and rough, and they figured it out. I gotta give a lot of credit to Emy for that. So

emays in the race. Doc Rivers is in the race with everything that team was going through with the bed situation. Um to to stay right at the top of the Eastern Conference. That's the hell of a coaching job. That gotta keep everybody on a straight and narrow in order to accomplish that. So Doc Rivers has to be in the conversation. And then JB. Bickerstaff has to be in

the conversation. I mean, nobody expected and I know they've been losing as of late, but if you would have told the Cleveland Cavaliers or anyone else that they would be in the playing game this year, and possibly with an opportunity to still beat a top six seed in the playoffs, everybody would have jumped at it. They were probably the fourteen, number, four, thirteen, and fourteen in the Eastern Conference last year. So I gotta give a lot of credit to JB. Bickerstyle and of those red I

would Monty. Well, my only thing with Money is they played in the NBA Finals last year. Okay, I who wanted last year? Tims? I think which I thought. I thought Money should have wanted last year. But like but like I thought it was a no brainer. They should have wanted. Money should have wanted last year. But for me to say now Money should win it just because

he didn't win it last year. They were playing in the NBA Finals last year, lost in six games, and so I kind of expected them to come out this year like this. You're piste off. You got the same team. You added some pieces, javaal McGee, who I thought it was a big ad, Like, you added some pieces, but you got your continuity. I expected that from them this year what they've done, and so uh, not taking anything away from money. With what he's done with that organization

and turn everything around, it's insane. So I'm not taking anything away from money, but I'm just like, who's done like the job this year that no one saw coming. It's usually who I like to go with Culture of the Year, um, which is why money would have been in last year for me. No one saw the Phoenix Suns going to the NBA Finals last year coming into the season, and so that's why money would have been in from me, and they were a top two seed battling for a one seed. So that's why this year

I have to go with Email Udoka. I think Email as a coach of the year his first first first year of culture two. To take Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown from what everybody thought should be a thing go to pass to a thing of the future is a big time thing. That's two young guys that you got

that you're trying to get to buy in. UM. In what case that both guys could think, no, I should be the number one guy and you get them to buy in and that team to be playing how they're playing to get Marcus Smart to looking like the point guard everyone thought Marcus Smart would be coming out. See now, Marcus Smart. I don't know if people remember Marcus Smart coming out of Oklahoma State, but was the ultimate winner. Um was going to USA Camps destroying everybody still has

a college kid. I'm talking that Marcus Smart. Marcus Smart this year is playing the type of basketball that that Marcus Smart played. And that's no discredit to the basketball. And Marcus Smart has played his own career. Marcus Smart has had a very good career. But I think now Marcus Smart is is playing the basketball that everyone thought Marcus Smart would play when he first came out. And it's so beautiful to see and you know what it's showing up in Remember what I said Marcus Smart was

back then, Marcus Smart played basketball like the ultimate winner. WHOA, what's the boss that I was just doing? Now the winning I think Marcus Smart have a huge, huge, huge thing to do with that. And so email you Dooka has to be the coach of the Year. And my Rookie of the Year is Evan Mobili. He's playing on the winning team that's going to be in the playoffs. The basketball that he's played all year, He's consistently gotten better. I also think he's the start that draft. I think

he is going to be insanely good. I actually thought this before this year, but Evan Mobile is my Rookie of the Year for sure. So that's who I got um for this year's awards. We'll see how it all plays out. I'm interested in seeing how it plays out because I think, you know, uh, Jackson and I decided whether we were going to do the awards this week

or not. And it's funny because we decided that we were gonna do him next week because we still think the races are still playing out, like there's so many there's still manyful games left in this season down the stretch that because sway somewhe went one way or another, and so we said we were doing this next week. But then I started talking about Jordan Pool and I'm like, well, if I'm talking about guys, we'll talk about all awards, so talk most improved player. But um, that's it, man.

That's that's the top of the show. I hope y'all enjoyed it. That's my thoughts. That's my takes. Playoffs right around the corner Warriors back to fifty wins clinched the playoffs spot. I never really appreciated the playoffs so much since my rookie year, but after not playing the playoffs for two years, I need it, so I'm excited. That's it. Actually catch you all tomorrow with the Seth Curry interview.

Make sure y'all locked into that one as well. Draymond Green Show, it's a rap talk to y'all later piece,