In a conversational interview, Draymond Green reflects on finishing third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, expressing empathy for fellow defender Dyson Daniels and congratulating winner Evan Mobley. He shares his long‑time admiration for Mobley, critiques other players who "throw shade," and emphasizes his support for young talent. Green then shifts to celebrating his own NBA Hustle Player Award, explaining that the award is determined by a statistical formula that tallies steals, blocks, deflections, screen setting, weak‑side help, and other hustle metrics. He thanks the league for the recognition and notes his intent to continue competing at an elite defensive level. The segment concludes with a promotional plug for the Draymond Green Show merchandise, directing listeners to thedgbdshow.com and social media channels.
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To me, it was a testament of why I thought you should have been Defensive Player of the Year, but you finished third. Second, congratulations on that. But what is the process like when it comes to hearing you won or where you placed? And what was your reaction when you found out that you didn't win?
Interestingly enough, we all find out at the same time. You find out when you get when it releases on TNT. I was gambling on the plane and I went on it. I moved on. Like, 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 winning. Ain't the first time that's ever happened, you know? So this ain't—
Mm-hmm.
I'm sure Dyson Daniels was crushed because I know that feeling. Yeah, like your first time being in the running and you don't come up with it. Like I know that feeling. So I've experienced it before. If anything, I feel for Dyson Daniels, you know what I'm saying? Because he had a great defensive year and this is his first time going through that. This is his first time experiencing that feeling of, damn, I didn't get it. I was like, I'm fine. Like I'm moving on. Yeah, moving on. Like I've been through that before. No big deal to me, but I will say congratulations to Evan Mobley, man.
Yeah, I was gonna say that. Big shout out to Evan Mobley.
Incredible. I've been a fan of his since USC. I know you don't like that name, but I've been a fan of his since USC. Yeah, not a big fan. You know what I'm saying? And to see him continue to grow, continue to become the player that everybody thought that he'd become. I had so many conversations with Kenny last summer just about what Evan Mobley can become. How to see things. Like, I'm happy as hell to see him get that. So shout out to him, man. Darius Garland and them and shit was throwing shade. Like, it ain't none of that. Don't be a clown. You know what I'm saying? Like, it is what it is. We was in the running, he won it. That's great. And the number one seed with the second best record in the NBA, who mad at that? You know, so why these little dudes throwing shade? Congratulations to him.
Yeah.
I was surprised by Darius Garland throwing shade when he came on the podcast and it was us vouching for him to be an All-Star when he was begging. So like I said, shout out to Evan Mobley. That was super dope to see him win Defensive Player of the Year. I'm one of the guys, I root for young guys. You know what I'm saying?
Yeah.
I'm not one of them guys that don't wanna see young guys do well. If anything, Welcome to the table.
One, shout out to Evan Mobley. I think he had an amazing year. He was key clutch. He has been on the rise ever since he stepped in the league and been reaching his potential. So shout out to him for winning Defensive Player of the Year. I always look at awards like that and say, okay, whoever didn't win, that doesn't mean you did not win. That means you won too. Because you're up there as one of the best defenders in the league.
Absolutely.
You don't win the award, you move on. And I actually think it motivated you, man, 'cause you was playing some hell of a defense out here in Game 3. You had something to prove. And if that's the case, I take that all day.
Nah, for sure. Listen, you always gonna try to find fuel in whatever you can. I will say I didn't find a bunch of, I wanna lock guys down anyway. That's kind of, that's who I am. You know, I take pride in that. But you find a few however you can. So, you know, like I said, it was, obviously wanted to win it, but to be in the conversation at 35, still playing at an elite level.
Single-handedly.
Will continue to play at an elite level. I got no shame in it. I'll show up next year, throw my name back in the hat, 'cause I'ma do it. I'ma do what I gotta do on the defensive end. So be right there again.
Big facts.
Be right there again.
I wanna send a huge congratulations to my dog, Draymond Green, for winning the NBA Hustle Player Award. The award honors a player who makes the effort plays, that go unnoticed in the box score but significantly contributes to the team's success. This award to me embodies a lot of what you've done this year, how you've been available, accessible, a linchpin in this defense. What does it mean to you to get the award? And congratulations again, my dog.
Well deserved. Thank you, brother. I appreciate it. It mean a lot. I think anytime you can be recognized in this league, It's special, you know what I'm saying? So obviously I was still a little in my feelings about the Defensive Player of the Year when I found out about this. So I ain't repost nobody all day or anything. I was like, I'm waiting, I'm waiting. Then the end of the night I made sure I reposted everybody. But very appreciative. So to explain to people what this award is, because I didn't really understand either, it's a calculation. So this award is a calculation of steals, blocks, deflections, screen setting, getting your teammates open, weak side help. It's a calculation of different things. And after the calculation, I was the winner. So I'm very thankful. So it is the one award in the NBA that has a formula, that has a criteria. That I am. But no, like I said, anytime, that you can be recognized in this league as the greatest players in the world in this league. Anytime to be recognized, I'm thankful. So thank you to the calculation, to the calculus.
So it's not opinion-based, it's actually fact and statistic-based. So that's even better. Yes it is.
That's even better, bro. So I was like, "Oh my God, this is fire." Post the people, man.
Post the people.
Nah, I reposted everybody though.
Man, let's run that up though. Let's run that up today. Everybody repost it again. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] I appreciate it, man.
I appreciate y'all. I'm always thankful to be a part of this league. I don't take it for granted one bit. It's the best league in the world. And you know, to still be a part of it after 13 years and still playing at a high level, I'm forever grateful, forever thankful. Forever grateful to this organization for who took the chance on me 13 years ago when I was labeled a tweener and that was a death sentence. What's up, all our fans? We got some great news. We're thrilled to announce that the new show merchandise is available. The site is now live so you can check it out and grab your favorites. Go to thedgbdshow.com. That's thedgbdshow.com.
If you're watching on YouTube, there's a QR code on the screen that you can scan. You can click the link in the YouTube description. For all the listeners, head to Draymond Green Show on TikTok, IG, X, Facebook, and hit the website link in the bio to access the merch store. Yo, we finally get some merch for the show, baby. We get the fans be able to rock the merch, rock the show. Tap in with us.
I think these should be the shirts on the seats at the game.
Come on, let's do it. We need that.
Game 4, we need that Monday.
Come on, man.
Let's do it.
I'll be at the game. We can get that cracking.
We excited to have all y'all represent the show. So go to thedgbdshow.com and get the new merch.
