Draymond Green on Wembanyama’s MVP Claims: Mixed Feelings
SAN FRANCISCO — Draymond Green, known for his candid nature, has shown a blend of admiration and frustration regarding Victor Wembanyama’s recent assertive claims about the MVP race. The Warriors’ power forward expressed that he was “absolutely loved” during the rookie’s bold statements but, paradoxically, he also admitted: “I hated it.”
His conflicting emotions surfaced on Wednesday night when prompted about Wembanyama’s headlines last week where the Spurs’ star made a strong case for the NBA MVP. Wembanyama touched on various factors behind San Antonio’s success, emphasizing the importance of defense, a point that, according to Green, sparked considerable debate.
“Until Wemby pointed out that defense is 50 percent of the game, I was left wondering, ‘Did no one else realize that?’ It’s baffling,” Green remarked, his voice rising as he elaborated for nearly five minutes. “His statement should be common knowledge, yet here we are treating it like a revelation. It frustrates me that he had to say it for anyone to pay attention.”
Green mentioned that he was impressed with Wembanyama’s awareness of how voters often overlook defensive contributions. The young center’s stats reflect a robust defensive capability, with an impressive average of 3.1 blocks per game.
“I think it’s great that he’s aware of this oversight,” Green commented. “I mean, just because he’s 7-foot-4, people struggle to envision him as a defensive asset chasing guards around the perimeter and still blocking shots at the rim. It shouldn’t be that hard to recognize.”
He continued, arguing that the common perception regarding defensive statistics might be misguided. “Wemby doesn’t just block shots; he alters the game significantly. Why isn’t that valued more?”
Currently, Wembanyama is positioned as a contender for the MVP title, with odds placing him third, trailing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic. Despite impressive averages of 24.2 points per game, his odds seem challenging, partly due to the new NBA rule requiring players to participate in at least 65 games for MVP eligibility. This condition means he has to remain healthy through the Spurs’ final nine games.
Ultimately, Green acknowledged the shifting narratives around Wembanyama. “It’s interesting to see everyone suddenly realizing that he might actually be the MVP. Perhaps he is,” he said. “Everyone critiques Doncic’s defense, but Wembanyama is consistently guarding the entire team, and nobody highlighted that until he pointed out the significance of defense in the equation.” He went on to ponder the depth of Wembanyama’s statement, questioning if it was indeed as profound as it seemed.
