After a rocky start, the trade deadline jolted the Golden State Warriors back to life — and with it, their pillars rose to greatness. Draymond Green’s defensive partnership with Jimmy Butler clicked instantly. The four-time champion anchored one of the league’s best defenses post-deadline, elevating his stock so much that by season’s end, Green found himself back in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

That award carries some weight for the Warriors forward. “Obviously, I want to win it, but it’s not something that’s totally in my control,” he said about the award. Although Green feels he has an exclusive factor that is superior to any defender in the league, the votes gave Evan Mobley the honor.

Draymond Green did fall short of his strong ambition for the season with the decision. However, his heart isn’t sinking. He revealed that he was indulging in one of Michael Jordan‘s hobbies when he found out the results .“I was gambling on the plane and I went on it. I moved on like yeah you know ain’t much you can do about it. This ain’t my first rodeo. This ain’t my first time being in the race you know feeling like I should win and not win it,” said the Warriors forward.

Green did have a strong case. He contested over 600 shots and held his opponents to shooting below 35% from three. There’s also the unseen aspect of his game where Green blows up plays and succumbs opponents with his pressure and physicality. But having done it every season, the former DPOY isn’t discouraged by not winning.

Rather, he felt for the Hawks’ Dyson Daniels, who had a sensational defensive year. “I’m sure Dyson Daniels was crushed because I know that feeling yeah like your first time being in a run and then you don’t come up with it. Like I know that feeling so I’ve experienced it before. If anything I feel for Dyson Days you know what I’m saying because he had a great defensive year and this is his first time going through that,” Green said on his podcast.

But while he was sympathetic towards Daniels, Green didn’t think the league made the right choice. He revealed himself to be a fan of Evan Mobley’s abilities and raved about his potential. “I’m happy as hell to see him get that,” he said about the Cavaliers center.

Draymond Green finally captures this award

Winning Defensive Player of the Year is the goal Draymond Green sets for himself every year. Even at the age of 35, Green continues to be a menace and elevates the Warriors’ standing as a team. However, unlike Daniels, he has also experienced the feeling of winning the elusive honor in 2017.

This was the first time since Green was nominated as a finalist. But just because he didn’t win Defensive Player of the Year doesn’t mean his defensive influence went unnoticed. He actually managed to add another accolade to his resume, which has eluded him for several years.

For the first time in his career, Draymond Green won the Hustle Award. In the past, he finished as the runner-up twice. Renowned for his effort, Green ranked 2nd in three-pointers contested this season. According to the NBA’s story, he is the only player to rank in the top 40 in all the parameters in a season to have won the honor.

While the celebrations for the same may not be as loud as another DPOY, Draymond Green continues to prove how valuable his versatility and defensive IQ are to the Warriors. He may not shine on the box score at the end of games. But players like him give their teams the best chance to win.

His passion to make defense a winning aspect of his game has played an immense role in the Warriors’ success. Even if he didn’t win DPOY, this season put Draymond Green back on the map as one of the top defenders. And he keeps showing growth and improvement even at the age of 35.