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AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Ex-NBA star Michael Jordan watches the action during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 26, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
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AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Ex-NBA star Michael Jordan watches the action during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 26, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Draymond Green is one of the best defenders of this generation. However, the all-time list of great NBA defenders runs very long. There are iconic defenders from each era that many call the greatest of all time. However, Draymond Green is not a man many people believe to be the greatest defender of all-time.
As a result, Green saying he looks at himself like that has not gone over well. While everyone acknowledged Green’s stellar resume, impact, and status in the game today, the All-Time bit isn’t something people are happy with. This includes former NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins, who felt Draymond was disrespectful with his comments.
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“It is disrespectful to guys like Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace, Kevin Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Tim Duncan. Like those guys were elite defend. Ron Artest, the list goes on. Michael Jordan, right? Scottie Pippen.
“I mean Draymond needs to realize that we all value that he is undersized, and undersized center and power forward. He kind of changed the game for being able to anchor a defense at the five position, being able to switch through 1 to 5. But you gotta put some respect on your elders name, God damn.”
Draymond Green: Greatest defender of all time?
Draymond Green is a phenomenal defender. Even though he is shorter than a lot of shooting guards and small forwards, Green is one of the best defensive centers and forwards in the NBA. The former Defensive Player of the Year has one of the most varied skill-sets in the NBA, with him being especially special on the defensive end.
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Feb 6, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
However, to say that Green is better than most of the defenders from previous generations is hard. Michael Jordan is also a former defensive player of the year, but also had the physical gifts to be the defender he was. Green has to make do with what he has gotten, and maybe that gets him a seat at the table for this debate.
However, to declare it as an open-and0shut case for oneself is something that will not go over well. Draymond can believe what he believes, but analysts like Kendrick Perkins will not be happy about it.
