Draymond Green named Top-10 NBA player by Sports Illustrated

Golden State Warriors forward, and former Michigan State Spartans star, Draymond Green was named a top-10 NBA player by The Crossover on Sports Illustrated.

The Saginaw native ranked 10th on the list of Top 100 NBA Players for 2018. This is a great feat for Green, as there are so many supremely talented NBA superstars, but it is well-deserved.

Green is arguably the most versatile player in the league. Kawhi Leonard — who came in at No. 4 on the list — may be the only better two-way player in the league. But it is his suffocating defense, playmaking and energy that really sets him part.

Here is just one snippet of what SI’s Rob Mahoney had this to say about Green in the article:

“If Green (10.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.0 APG) comes off as arrogant, it’s only because he knows exactly how good he is. He’s seen entire possessions smothered by his coverage alone, bouncing from one threat to the next as if they weren’t half the court apart. He’s experienced the Warriors’ offense at its highest gear, which so often relies on his playmaking as its beating heart. He also watched as Golden State lost its edge in Game 5 of the the 2016 Finals without him. That a suspended Green put himself in that predicament with a nut-kicking spree is an unfortunate part of the experience. In the end, his absence affirmed—somewhat cruelly—his value to one of the greatest teams in NBA history.”

Green is a two-time NBA champion, two-time NBA All-Star and reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, he’s been selected to the NBA All-Defensive First-Team three years in a row, was an All-NBA Second Team selection in 2015-2016 and an All-NBA Third Team selection this past season. He also lead the NBA in steals per game in 2016-2017 with 2.03 per contest.

As a Spartan, Green was a consensus First Team All American in 2012 — a year in which he was also the Big Ten Player of the Year and received First Team All-Big Ten honors. Green also was a member of the Big Ten All-Defensive Team that season. He was a Third Team All-Big Ten selection in 2010 and 2011 and got the nod for Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2010. Michigan State made the Final Four in 2010 and Green was a big reason why.

Green’s cockiness confidence, physicality and ability to be the catalyst for his absolutely stacked team are just a few reasons why he is so valued by the Warriors. He’s not a player that is often going to drop 35 points on you, but he does everything consistently well — highlighted by averaging nearly a triple-double per night.

Not a huge surprise here, but Lebron James was No. 1 on the list, with Kevin Durant coming in at No. 2 and Stephen Curry rounding out the top-three.

There are many players worthy of being in the top-10. Should Green be on there? Let us know in the poll below. I say absolutely, yes.