The Warriors clinched the Pacific Division after beating the Portland Trail Blazers in another impressive performance on the road. This is the first time since the 1975-76 season that the Warriors have captured the division title and they’ve earned it.
This team is coming together at the perfect time. With only 11 games left in the regular season, the Dubs will go into the playoffs with great momentum. The Splash Brothers are a big reason for the team’s success, but they guy that brings everything together is Draymond Green.
Green is the heartbeat of the team and this year he has taken his game to new heights. The rest of the NBA has taken notice and one of the best players of all time thinks Green is one of the better players in the league. According to Cory Butzin of MLive.com, Magic Johnson believes Green is one of the top 5 all around players in the NBA today:
“He’s one of the best overall players we have in the game of basketball,” Johnson said. “If you take probably LeBron, Klay Thompson, probably right now (Russell) Westbrook. I would say he’s one of the Top 5 all-around players in the league.”
Green has been spectacular this season, he is averaging 11.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He does everything on the floor and the stats do not show it all. Green can guard almost everybody on the court and his versatility has made the Warriors the best defensive team in the NBA.
Johnson is not saying he is a top five player, but he commends him for his ability to do it on both ends of the floor. Johnson believes Green is due a big pay day after this season and he is probably right:
“He’s getting ready to get paid a lot of money,” Johnson said. “I would say between probably 10 and $12 million a year. He’s earned it. He deserves it.”
For a second round pick, this is quite an accomplishment. Green has worked hard since being drafted by the Warriors and has now positioned himself for a nice pay day. Like some of his teammates, Green has had a lot of doubters and critics, but it didn’t phase him.
The Warriors are about to embark on this post-season journey and Green continues to be the one that brings everything together. Magic had high praise for Green, which only comes to show how far he has come.
Goon up! Traymond! We gonna be championship!