Green downplays Gobert matchup: 'I can't play defense against his defense'
The two leading candidates for Defensive Player of the Year are set to square off, but don't expect too much from the head-to-head matchup.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green isn't buying into the hype surrounding his West semifinals matchup with Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert - for a simple reason.
"I can't play defense against his defense," he said Monday, as quoted by the Mercury News' Anthony Slater. "It don't matter."
Following two straight seasons of finishing as the DPOY runner-up, Green made his best case yet for the honor in 2016-17. The Dubs can thank the versatile All-Star for their second-ranked defense, as they rely on him to get key stops against any player anywhere on the court.
Related: Kerr says Draymond is the best defender in the NBA
Green was the regular-season leader in steals and second in both defensive rating and defensive win shares. He had 17 blocks during Golden State's four-game sweep of the Trail Blazers in the opening round.
Related: Draymond shows off DPOY case with insane block
Meanwhile, Gobert capitalizes on his size - he's 7-foot-1 and has an 8-foot wingspan - to block and alter shots, and makes opponents think twice about going to the rim. The Stifle Tower finished first in blocks and defensive win shares, third in defensive rating, and fourth in rebounding for the Jazz, who boast the third-best defense.
Related: Jazz must force Warriors to play their brand of basketball
The votes for the award have already been submitted, and the winner will be revealed in the inaugural NBA awards show on June 26.
In the meantime, the two will try to shut down each other's squads in a bid to advance to the conference finals. Game 1 tips off Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. ET in Oakland.