Draymond Green Explains Why He Wasn't a First Round Pick

The Golden State Warriors selected Draymond Green with the 35th pick in the 2012 NBA draft. Since then, Green has been a key component of three championship rosters, earned 3 all-star selections, and has been a perennial defensive player of the year candidate. In retrospect, Green's late selection is beyond puzzling. Here's what he had to say regarding why he dropped so far down the draft board:

Many would assume Green fell in the draft due to his lack of offensive talent, however, it appears that the truth is that scouts didn't think he would be able to defend at an NBA level. At 6-6 and 230lbs, at the time it seemed that Green was the right height to defend the small forward position, but may have been too heavy to keep up with quicker forwards. His 6-6 height, however, would seemingly leave him unable to defend taller power forwards, making him a difficult player to field on the defensive end.

Ironically, Draymond went on to become one of the league's premier 1-5 defenders and doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. As the Golden State Warriors use their assets to make another championship push during Stephen Curry's waning prime, look for Green to make yet another case for DPOY in the 2021-2022 season.