Draymond Green has long been the heartbeat of the Golden State Warriors, a versatile force who has helped secure four NBA championships alongside Stephen Curry. At 35 years old, Green remains an integral part of the Warriors’ quest for a fifth title, now joined by Jimmy Butler in their star-studded lineup. This season, he averaged 9.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 68 games, starting 66 of them. His defensive brilliance and elite basketball IQ have earned him a Hall of Fame-worthy career, including the 2017 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and a finalist nod again in 2025.
Yet Green’s legacy is often clouded by his fiery demeanor – technical fouls, on-court scuffles and taunts from rival fans, such as the “f**k you Draymond” chants in the current playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Even Warriors coach Steve Kerr has had to step in and defend Green from the barrage of criticism he endures.
Draymond Green Claims the 2024-25 NBA Hustle Award
On April 25, the NBA named Draymond Green the recipient of the 2024-25 NBA Hustle Award, recognizing his mastery of the gritty, game-changing plays that don’t always make the stat sheet. Green, who finished third in this year’s Defensive Player of the Year voting behind winner Evan Mobley and steals leader Dyson Daniels, becomes the second former Defensive Player of the Year to win the award, joining Marcus Smart’s three-time run. The Hustle Award tracks nine effort-based categories, such as deflections, charges drawn, screen assists and box-outs, and Green shined.
Among 143 eligible players who played at least 58 games, he ranked in the top 15 in five categories and made history as the first player to crack the top 40 in all nine. At 35, he’s also the oldest winner, proving that hustle knows no age limit. With a resume that includes four All-Star nods, two All-NBA selections and eight All-Defensive Team honors, Green is now the most decorated player to win the award. This year he eclipsed finalists Carson Wallace (OKC), Guerschon Yabusele (PHI), Luguentz Dort (OKC), and Dyson Daniels (ATL) after years of near misses, including runner-up finishes in 2016-17 and 2022-23.
Warriors vs. Rockets: Game 3 Looms Without Butler
Green’s award comes at a pivotal moment as the Warriors battle the Houston Rockets in a first-round playoff series tied 1-1. Game 3, set for tomorrow night, in San Francisco, carries extra weight with Jimmy Butler likely to miss the game. Butler was injured in the first quarter of Game 2, in which Houston avenged a 95-85 Game 1 loss with a 109-94 victory.
Without Butler, the Warriors face a steep challenge in matching the Rockets’ rugged, physical style. Green, a playoff warrior known for rising to the occasion alongside Curry, will shoulder even more responsibility. His hustle – making disruptive plays, fighting for loose balls and anchoring the defense – could be the difference. Still, Houston’s intensity could push this series to seven games, leaving the Warriors praying for Butler’s speedy return to keep their title hopes alive.
Green’s Hustle Award injects a dose of optimism into a tense situation. As Golden State chases its fifth championship in 11 years, his relentless energy and leadership remain indispensable, especially now. Whether silencing doubters or lifting his team through adversity, Green continues to prove why he is the Warriors’ unsung hero.
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