Draymond Green breaks silence on Evan Mobley winning 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year, ‘I have been...’

This 2024-25 season saw an open race for the NBAs Defensive Player of the Year before the winner was finally determined.

For most of the year, everyone expected that Victor Wembanyama would easily bag the coveted trophy until the San Antonio Spurs phenom got deactivated in February, due to his blood clot diagnosis.

After that, several other candidates took advantage of the opportunity to campaign themselves.

Draymond Green started it all after he notably clamped Giannis Antetokounmpo .

Meanwhile, Dyson Daniels allowed his stellar defensive year to speak for his bid to win DPOY, making history as the leagues newest terror at the perimeter, which Trae Young believes should easily give him the honors.

On the other hand, the Cleveland Cavaliers went all out in backing Evan Mobley to win it.

Ty Jerome was one of those who initially endorsed the star big man, while Darius Garland blasted Green for having a cheat code and diverting the narrative away from Mobley.

Draymond Green reacts to Evan Mobley winning DPOY Eight years after he won it, no one badly wanted to win the Defensive Player of the Year this 2024-25 than Draymond Green .

Since he began promoting himself, the Golden State Warriors star constantly argued why he deserves it.

At one point, he noted that being a great defender requires capability to defend all positions a quality Green believes sets him apart from anybody else .

Ultimately, Green managed to enter the top three finalists for the DPOY award , which made many unconvinced, especially Isaiah Hartenstein, who believes Luguentz Dort got snubbed .

But, in the end, the majority of the voters went on to favor Evan Mobley to claim the DPOY trophy.

Instead of going bitter about it, Green offered his warm congratulations to the Cavaliers big man for being a well-deserved recipient of the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.

To win anything in this league is special.

Anytime you can be recognized in this league is great, Green said right after the Warriors Game 3 win over the Houston Rockets in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

Congratulations to Evan Mobley.

Incredible young player.

The growth that hes had over his career.

To see him...

thats what we all believed hed be coming out of USC.

I still remember watching him play at USC, and a guy caught the ball in the corner.

And he was under the rim, he blocked the corner three.

I couldnt believe it, I have been a fan of his ever since.

So its always great to see young guys get their due in this league.

Congratulations to Evan Mobley.

Incredible young player.

Draymond showing Mobley love for winning DPOY pic.twitter.com/7kbP2RtSxr Mobley deserves the award, and Green is still a legendary defender Amassing 285 points in the voting process, Mobley became the first-ever Cavalier recipient of the DPOY title.

Averaging 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 30.5 minutes across 71 games, he mainly served as the anchor of Clevelands No.

8 defensive rating (111.8).

He also helped the team to 64 wins en route to topping the entire Eastern Conference .

With Mobley on the court, the Cavs have tallied a 108.6 defensive rating, which would put the team No.

2 league-wide.

His imposing length and superb defensive instinct allowed Kenny Atkinsons team to burst for a season of revelation.

I mean, it would have been nice to win [to win it], but anytime youre in the running to be recognized in this league, its always great, Green concluded.

Despite not winning it this year, this wont change the fact that Green will always stand as an all-time great defender and relentless engine of the Dubs dynastys glory in this era.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission..

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