Green’s comments come from a career defined by elite defense. A Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and a top-three finisher last season, Green is known for his ability to guard all five positions and for anchoring Golden State’s defensive identity for over a decade.
He stressed that he remains a “positional defender” who deters shots rather than relying on blocked shots, noting the reality that he isn’t Wembanyama’s height. “I’m not giving you your spots that you want to get to. I like to deter shots. I’m not Victor Wembanyama’s height, so I’m not going to block every shot. I think that type of anticipation is sometimes tough to quantify.”
Green also highlighted how Wembanyama changes the defensive math simply by existing on the floor, suggesting opponents often dribble the ball out when he’s in the area. He described the difference as “the same thing but in a different way,” underscoring that Wembanyama complicates offenses through length, timing and presence.
Statistically, Wembanyama’s impact is undeniable. He averaged about 3.1 blocks per game this season, leading the league, and San Antonio posted a defensive rating of roughly 103.6 with him on the floor versus 113.7 without him. Those numbers illustrate why Green would acknowledge a defender of Wembanyama’s caliber as surpassing him in one key facet of the game.
Green’s admission carries considerable weight, reflecting respect from one of the game’s premier defenders. While Wednesday’s play-in game is the immediate priority, the broader conversation about where Wembanyama fits among the all-time great defenders has only just begun, and Green’s honesty helps set the tone for that debate.
