Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is motivated to earn his 10th NBA All-Defensive team selection in the 2025-26 season. This milestone would place him among an elite group of five all-time greats. Green has described the goal as consuming his focus on defense.
Draymond Green, a key part of the Golden State Warriors' defense that secured four championships, enters his 12th NBA season with a personal target in sight. Currently a nine-time All-Defensive team member, Green aims to join Tim Duncan (15 selections), Kobe Bryant (12), Kevin Garnett (12), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11), and Scottie Pippen (10). Including ABA honors, Hall of Famer Bobby Jones also reached 10.
Green learned of this exclusive list late in the previous season, which ignited his drive, as he shared with The Athletic's Sam Amick. "You see a list like that, and that immediately becomes your 'why,'" Green said. "It's like, 'Man, I need to give all that I f---ing can to be on that thing.' When you look at a list like that and you say, 'Man, I can be on that list.' It's captivating. If I'm honest, it consumes you."
He added, "You're always looking to add these stamps. And I think for me personally, that's one stamp that I would love to add, for no other reason than the little kid from Saginaw being able to one day look at that list and say, 'Damn, my name is on the list with those guys.' ...So that's a huge, huge, huge goal of mine."
Green's ninth selection last season tied him with Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Gary Payton, and others. Achieving a 10th would elevate him further in rare company. The Warriors, with a 5-3 record early in 2025-26, rank in the top 10 defensively under Green's leadership. Success here could align with the team's championship aspirations.