Draymond Green Wins 2024-25 NBA Hustle Award For Unsung Contributions
Warriors veteran recognized for his effort plays that rarely appear in traditional statistics
Swathi holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam. With over three years of experience writing on beauty, health, sports and lifestyle, she writes for NBAJunction and Stylecraze.
Read full bio of Swathi E
Image: Instagram
The NBA has announced Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green as the recipient of the 2024-25 NBA Hustle Award, recognizing his significant impact on the court through plays that often go unrecorded in traditional statistics.
Recognizing Basketball’s Ultimate Grinder
The NBA Hustle Award, which honors players whose contributions might not appear prominently in box scores but are crucial to team success, has found a fitting winner in Green. The award acknowledges the defensive specialist’s commitment to making effort plays that directly impact winning but rarely receive statistical recognition.
In the official announcement shared on Instagram, the NBA highlighted Green’s selection, noting that the award specifically “honors a player who makes the effort plays that do not often appear in the box score but help determine team success.” The image accompanying the post shows Green in his Warriors uniform with text identifying him as the Hustle Award winner.
The award aligns perfectly with Green’s career-long reputation as a player whose impact transcends traditional statistics. Known for setting hard screens, making defensive rotations, communicating on defense, securing loose balls, and making timely hustle plays, Green has built his career on these winning contributions.
A Career Defined By Hustle And Defensive Excellence
The 34-year-old forward has long been recognized for his defensive prowess, collecting numerous accolades throughout his 12-year NBA career with the Warriors. Green is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA All-Star, and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team eight times. He also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2016-17 season.
Most recently, Green was named the NBA Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for March 2024, earning the nickname “Dr. Defense” from the Warriors’ social media team. This recognition came during a month when Green’s defensive impact helped the Warriors make a push for playoff positioning.
Green’s defensive versatility remains his calling card. Despite standing 6’6″, he has made a career of successfully defending players of all sizes, from quick guards to powerful centers. His ability to anticipate plays, communicate defensive assignments, and make timely rotations has been instrumental to Golden State’s defensive schemes throughout their championship runs.
Beyond The Box Score: Green’s Winning Impact
Green’s value to the Warriors extends far beyond what appears in traditional statistics. While averaging modest career numbers of 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, his impact is best measured by the team’s success with him on the floor and his ability to elevate teammates’ performances.
A recent example of Green’s basketball IQ and selflessness came during a game against Memphis, where teammate Stephen Curry shared a revealing moment about their on-court dynamic. In a post-game interview, Green recalled Curry telling him, “I don’t want you to take the shot, I want you to get me the ball to take the shot” during a crucial moment. This exchange perfectly captures Green’s role as a facilitator who prioritizes team success over personal statistics.
Green’s partnership with Curry has been particularly special throughout their time together in Golden State. Recently, on his podcast with Baron Davis, Green made a passionate case for Curry’s inclusion in the NBA GOAT (Greatest of All Time) conversation, stating, “You tell me the game of basketball is modeled after how you play… You telling me that guy don’t go in the GOAT conversation?”
Veteran Leadership On And Off The Court
Beyond his on-court contributions, Green has grown into a vocal leader for the Warriors. He’s known for his intensity during games, often being mic’d up to capture his defensive communication and leadership. Before a recent Warriors game in New York, the NBA shared footage of Green arriving at Madison Square Garden on his 35th birthday, highlighting his veteran presence.
Off the court, Green has expanded his media presence significantly. He co-hosts a podcast with former Warriors player Baron Davis, where they recently interviewed legendary broadcaster Ernie Johnson about his experiences working with the Inside the NBA crew of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Green has also participated in various promotional activities, including events with Coinbase where he connected with fans while discussing “the future of money and the future of basketball,” and a fellowship event called “The Green Room” during NBA All-Star weekend in the Bay Area, sponsored by Meta and Crocs.
The Hustle Award adds another achievement to Green’s impressive basketball résumé, which includes four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022) with the Warriors. It also validates the playing style that has made him one of the most impactful defensive players of his generation, despite not always filling up the traditional statistical categories.
As Green continues his career with the Warriors, this recognition serves as a reminder of how valuable hustle plays and defensive effort remain in a league that often celebrates scoring and offensive achievements. For a player who has built his career on making the winning plays that don’t always show up in the box score, the NBA Hustle Award represents a fitting honor for one of basketball’s ultimate competitors.
Read full bio of Swathi E
