In this conversational segment, Baron Davis introduces Jalen Williams' proposal to add a third All‑Defensive Team and to split the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award into two separate honors. Draymond Green reacts, agreeing with the idea of a third All‑Defensive team but rejecting the notion of two DPOY awards, arguing that there is only one MVP and that award voting should remain singular. They discuss possible ways to recognize different defensive roles—guards vs. bigs, shot‑blockers, lockdown defenders—but conclude that a single DPOY makes more sense. The conversation then shifts to a player spotlight, highlighting Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, who posted 19 points, 10 rebounds on 50% shooting and is credited with revitalizing the Hawks alongside Trae Young. Green and Davis debate the Most Improved Player (MIP) race, ultimately favoring Johnson while also praising Norman Powell’s breakout season and his potential All‑Star candidacy. Throughout, they reference past defensive legends (Ben Wallace, Tony Allen) to illustrate what makes a true defensive anchor.
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Recently, Jalen Williams said there needs to be a third team, a third All-Defensive Team, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. What is your reaction to two Player of the Years? I know when I go to the International Players Ball, Right. You can't have two players of the year. You know what I mean? You gotta have a player of the year.
So check this out. I can agree with him. I'm cool with the all, the third team, you know, third all defensive team. That makes sense. You got three All-NBA teams. Why wouldn't you have three all defensive teams? I'm cool with that. I'm rocking with that 100%. The second of two DPOY awards, are there two MVP awards? No, there's not. So I don't understand that. I get what he was getting at, which is—
I understand too.
There should be one for the guards and one for the bigs, or one for like the— There should be a different— Wish side shot blockers.
Defensive.
And like lockdown award.
Yeah.
Something like that.
It should be, yes, lockdown award.
Like I see what he getting at and I understand what he's trying to say. Didn't quite come out the right way. And so, which means it's not very accurate. Like— One is totally fine, but you know.
You can't have two Player of the Years, baby.
You know what he also should've said, BD? What he should've, I think what the Battle Cry should be more of is just like, who's actually voting? Because again, you can't, the award can't go to someone every year and then a week later you can't play in a playoff series. Like that don't work. And so I think, The argument has to be voting process or who actually is doing the voting. Not quite, there's two awards. That just can't happen. I get what he getting at. No, sir, that don't work.
Yeah, I think it should be another defensive award that is of equal value to Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Yeah.
Right? Because you have, you know, you got MIP, Offensive Player of the Year, MVP. MVP is an offensive category.— Mm-hmm. It is not a defensive category. So having something, you know, of that stature, right? Even if it's elevated from Defensive Player of the Year, 'cause usually that goes to big guys, right?
Yeah.
Or shot blockers, somebody who led the league and blocked shots. But that don't mean that they don't get dunked on. That don't mean that they don't get, you know, I don't know, Defensive Player of the Year to me means you lock everybody up.
Yeah, and teams trying to get away from you. You know, like when they, when offensively, the things that they're doing to try to take a scorer outta the game, they need to be doing to you defensively.
Right.
To try to take you out the game. And if they putting you in action, that's a problem.
That's a problem. I mean, when you go back and just look at a lot of the previous Defensive Player of the Year, —like they had to be on the floor. Absolutely.
You know? Or it don't work.
They had to, or it ain't working.
Yeah.
They were the anchors. When I showed up to Detroit and saw Ben Wallace there with that afro, bro, when he had the afro shooting up like that, I'm like, "All right, I see what he on." You know what I'm saying? I know what Big Ben on. Or you show up to— Boston or Memphis and you running into Tony Allen, you know what I'm saying? Like Tony Allen checking you up soon as you put your feet on the mat.
Yeah, for sure.
Right, it's a personality, it's an energy, but it's also like those dudes made it hard every single night and they had to be on the floor.
Absolutely.
Right?
Nah. That's it, man. We starting a new segment where we gonna give some flowers to some underrated guys, the guys that deserve to shine, that don't quite get the glory for what they doing. And this week's player in spotlight is Atlanta Hawks' own young fella, Jalen Johnson. 19 points, 10 rebounds, shooting 50%.
Come on.
And has been pivotal for the Atlanta Hawks resurgence team that everybody counted out, thought they'd be fired. Selling Trey and Trey has turned it around. I see Trey been checking this year. Trey playing good basketball, Trey playing team basketball. He leading them young guys and they having an unexpected year. So this week we got the young fella Jalen Johnson. And my question to you is, is he the most improved player this year? If not, who is?
I'm rolling. I think he is. He the perfect compliment to Trae Young. When you look at his versatility, you know, 19 points, 10 rebounds, 50% shooting from the field, you know, inside on offensive glass, you know, fast breaks, 3-pointer highlights. Talking about somebody who made that leap, he took it upon himself to be that guy. What John Collins, you know, what John Collins was for Trae Young, he's that and elevated.
Absolutely.
Right. And he gives them a certain versatility where he can guard almost 1 through 5 with the way that they play and the way he handles the ball, the way he is a playmaker, it opens up a lot for Trae to be off the ball and be more potent in the offense. Talking about somebody who has improved a team and also improved himself, uh, Jalen Johnson has put himself right in the category where he's that number 2 guy.
Yep.
In Atlanta.
I love it. I think he playing great basketball and I definitely think he the most improved player. Um, just with the leaps he taking, I can stamp that one for sure. Most definitely.
Also, I have to say, uh, If he don't get it, close second.
The brewing, it's brewing, brother. It's coming on.
I knew it, I knew it. You know, going with Stormin' Norman, right? Less is more, Norman Powell. One, I wanna see him make the All-Star Game. If he makes this All-Star Game, he is definitely most improved player. Talk about somebody, you know, having him on the show, just his level of improvement. Getting a chance and taking full advantage of that chance, you gotta put Jalen Johnson and Norman Powell right there.
Most definitely. I think Norm's having a great year. I hope to see him be an All-Star. It's tough. It's a numbers game and it's always tough, especially to get your first one. But Norm has definitely improved, man. Since he first came into the league, he was a non-shooter and now that's what he do, you know? And so— Right. Just to, to make that jump in itself is incredible. Uh, so, you know, I, I think, um, I think ultimately he will get a nod, um, and end up in an All-Star Game, whether it's getting a nod originally or someone gets hurt and he gets a nod. But I definitely think, uh, Storm and Norm and Pyle, uh, should and will get an All-Star nod. Most improved player, I will go with Jalen Johnson just because, you know, Norm—
Just the level.
Exactly.
Yeah, just the level.
Like the level that the young fella's going. But also Norm is like taking more advantage of an opportunity. You know what I'm saying? Like we knew coming off the bench, Norm was getting buckets. You know what I'm saying? Like we knew Norm was capable of getting the buckets. I think he's just stepped into more of an opportunity, more of a role with the opportunity being there and just taking advantage of it. I'm not sure I can go most improved because Norm been there.
I get it. Been there. I get it.
So that's my only thing with Norm with that. But he's definitely deserving of being an All-Star for sure. 100%.
