San Francisco — Golden State Warriors Ahead draymond green He said he “hates” and “absolutely loves” MVP self-promotion. San Antonio Spurs Center Victor Vembanyama Monday night.
Green went clear after Wednesday night win 109-106 Above Brooklyn Nets He enjoyed Vembanyama’s willingness to advocate for himself publicly, but did not like what the national reaction revealed regarding basketball consumption and coverage.
“Wemby said, ‘Defense is 50% of the game,’ and it was like, oh, nobody realized that?” Green said. “Has no one realized that 50% of the game we play happens on that end of the floor?”
Wembanyama presents three-pronged argument after Spurs win Miami HeatConsidering his team’s 4-1 head-to-head record against the MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and this oklahoma city thunderHis offensive impact beyond scoring, and the acknowledged fact that he is clearly the most dominant defensive force in the league.
“Everyone says he has a great point,” Green said of Wembanyama’s reminder that defense is half the game. “Hello? You think? I hate that he had to do that to say that. All of a sudden you turn on the TV and everyone’s like, ‘Actually, maybe Wembley is the MVP.'”
Green was not ready to declare Wembanyama his choice for MVP, saying, “He probably is” but there is still work to be done. He then referred his answer back to his understanding of the defensive end.
“It’s an indictment on the game of basketball,” Green said. “Everybody wants to crush luka doncic When Luka doesn’t live up to the standard of defense. But we found this guy defending entire teams and no one paid attention until he said 50% of the game is defense. I want to give him a lot of credit for making such a profound statement, but was it really that profound? But this is absolutely true. Still he had to say it.”
Green has been known for his self-promotion during awards season in past years. He inserted himself into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation after a similarly lively press conference on the same stage last March. Green finished third in voting.
“With these awards, if you don’t talk, people can’t see,” Green said. “With the game of basketball, let’s not act like everybody can just open their eyes and know what’s going on. … Unless evan mobley After all that was said last year, no one was going to give him Defensive Player of the Year. If you don’t come out and speak for yourself, it doesn’t work.”
As of Wednesday night, Wembanyama had played 57 regular-season games, plus the bonus game for the NBA Cup Championship, meaning he would have to appear in seven of the Spurs’ final 10 games to qualify for postseason awards.
Considering that Vembanayama is considered the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, it is still difficult to challenge Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP. They face the Green Warriors next Wednesday night on ESPN.
“I tip my hat to Wembley for being willing to sit on that stage and say, ‘This is why,'” Green said. “Don’t hide from the question. Don’t just assume they’ll figure it out. No, they won’t. I’m glad he’s smart enough to know they won’t figure it out. You don’t help them see it, damn it they can’t.”
