Four Warriors that Deserve Post-Season Awards This Season
By Alec Dietz
Mar 8, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) drives past Los Angeles Clippers forward Hedo Turkoglu (15) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 106-89. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Most Improved Player:
Green has been the heart and soul of the Warriors this season, and no one can deny his toughness. Since moving into the starting lineup this year, Green’s play has drastically improved, and the numbers he’s putting up bear that out.
Over the course of the 2013-14 season, Green averaged 6.2 PPG and 5.0 RPG. This year though, he is averaging 11.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and is shooting around 43% from the field. While the numbers themselves are not astounding or MVP-caliber by any means, they reflect his improvement.
But it’s what he does on the court, specifically on defense, that has made the most difference in games this year for Golden State. Whether it be a game sealing steal, or pass breakup, Green has made many a defensive play this season for the Warriors.
While some of them can’t be recorded on a stat sheet, Green might be the most important Warrior not named Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson.
Next: Most Improved Player Pt. II