'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Draymond Green is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. At just 6'6, the 2016-2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is undersized for a big man. However, he has shown that he is more than capable of protecting the paint.
Green has been named to seven All-Defensive Teams, while anchoring the Golden State Warriors defense for close to a decade. While Golden State's four championships over that span are largely credited to their offense, the Warriors defense led the league in defensive rating in both title runs without Kevin Durant. During the two championship seasons with the 2013-2014 NBA MVP on the roster, Golden State ranked second and 11th in defensive rating.
While Green is the same height as Klay Thompson and only a few inches taller than Steph Curry, his ability to protect the paint unlocked Golden State's 'Death Lineup'. The lineup, which features Green as the center, has been the Warriors' most-used lineup in the postseason, particularly in crunch time.
Watch Draymond Green's highlights below:
Draymond Green's height in comparison to other defensive greats
Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Gary Payton are each tied for the most First Team All-Defensive selections with nine. Bryant, Garnett, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, and Scottie Pippen are the only players with at least 10 total All-Defensive selections. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain played the majority of their careers before the inception of the All-Defensive Team in 1968-1969. The two stars, however, are widely regarded as two of the greatest defenders of all-time and likely would have made 10 All-Defensive Teams if the award was handed out throughout their career.
As is the case with Draymond Green, Jordan and Bryant both were 6'6. Gary Payton was the shortest in the group, standing at just 6'4. Jordan's teammate with the Chicago Bulls, Scottie Pippen, was listed at 6'8. The four players are widely considered four of the greatest perimeter defenders of all-time.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain are the only two seven-footers listed, checking in at 7'2 and 7'1, respectively. Bill Russell joins them as the only centers listed. However, he was listed at just 6'10. While Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett both spent time playing center later in their careers, they are both primarily recognized as power fowards, having spent their primes at the position. While Duncan was 6'11, Garnett was one inch shorter, standing 6'10.
Watch Draymond Green's NBA Finals highlights below:
