Skip to content

Draymond: MVP's a 6-horse race, including Isaiah Thomas

Bob Donnan / USA TODAY Sports

As the 2016-17 NBA season heads into its stretch run, Draymond Green has whittled his MVP ballot down to six names.

"When I look around at who deserves MVP, I think of six people," the Golden State Warriors forward said Friday on Periscope. "And two of them, everybody would say, 'Oh I'm biased.' Obviously, you know who those two are."

Presumably that refers to fellow Warriors Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, though Green also endorsed teammate Zaza Pachulia for the All-Star Game earlier this season.

The rest of Green's ballot featured some obvious picks, save perhaps for one.

"I also think LeBron (James) is in that conversation," he said. "I think Russell Westbrook is in that conversation. I think James Harden is in that conversation. And, also, I think Isaiah Thomas should be in that conversation. He's been incredible, and his team has been amazing.

"I think those six guys should be in the conversation, and whichever way you decide is kind of a personal preference."

Given Green's penchant for trash talk, it's a bit jarring to hear him lavishing praise on opponents, but versatility has always been the man's calling card.

Green, for his part, finished seventh in MVP voting a season ago, and has finished second to Kawhi Leonard (curiously absent from Green's six-man list) in Defensive Player of the Year voting two years running.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox