Draymond Green remains the frontrunner for this season’s Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award.
But Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland believes there are unexpected factors that will advance the Warriors’ advantage.
Despite Draymond Green’s impressive number of defensives (1 block, 1.5 steel, and 5 defensive rebounds per game), Garland points out something completely different to the veteran “cheat codes” in the DPOY race.
“Draymond has cheat codes on podcasts,” Garland revealed during his appearance on Run It Back Podcast.
“So he can really go there and talk every day. It’s so cool and it’s really working,” he added.
Green is certainly speaking out in the media. In his podcast, The Draymond Green Show Baron Davis, he frequently highlights his defensive influence.
The Warriors forwards were not shy about self-promotion and had declared in post-match interviews he deserved the honor of honor.
This media presence gives Green a platform that many other DPOY candidates simply don’t have.
But from Garland’s perspective, the award should go to his Cavaliers teammate, Evan Mobley.
Garland believes Mobley is criminally underrated in DPOY’s conversation. “Evan really deserves it. Young man in the league, it’s really starting to become his own.”
“His mindset is trying to stop the best defenders, try to protect the paint, and protect the rims as much as possible,” Garland argued.
Garland didn’t stop voicing his support, pointing out Mobley’s impressive defensive statistics as evidence.
“Like the statistics, even the numbers are insane. He averages about two blocks per game,” he explained.
The numbers support Garland’s claim. Mobley has recorded 1.6 blocks, 0.9 steel and seven defensive rebounds per game this season.
Additionally, the Cavaliers ranked 8th in their defensive ratings, only 1st behind the Green Warriors.