As NBA Finals await, Draymond Green fueled by 'slight' of not making All-Defensive First Team

SAN FRANCISCO — As he prepares to face off against the Boston Celtics and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart in the NBA Finals, Draymond Green disagrees with NBA voters that there were five defenders better than him this season.

The Golden State Warriors' defensive leader is vexed that he was voted NBA All-Defensive Second Team earlier this month. Green was the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year until he suffered a back injury in early January and only played in 46 games this season.

«For me, it's a slight,» Green said when asked if he took his second-team designation as a compliment or slight. «When I look at the first team, I am not sure I can pinpoint, definitely not five guys that had a better defensive season than me. And there are no (games played) requirements (for All-Defensive voting). There is not some amount that you have to play in. If there was an amount that you had to play, then I would be an idiot sitting here and saying that.»

Green added: «What you had to see, I think it would be hard for someone to come and show me better (defense this season). Especially not five guys (better). It is more of a slight to me than anything.»

NBA voters named Smart, the Boston Celtics guard, the Defensive Player of the Year, ahead of Phoenix's Mikal Bridges and Utah's Rudy Gobert. Those three, along with Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo and Memphis' Jaren Jackson Jr. were voted to the All-Defensive first team.

Green finished on the second team along with Miami's Bam Adebayo, Milwaukee's Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia's Matisse Thybulle and Boston's Robert Williams. The Golden State power forward garnered five first-team votes and 24 second-team votes.

«It goes on the resume as an All-Defensive team