The NBA definitely just made up a new award for Draymond Green
The NBA definitely just made up a new award for Draymond Green
Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win's basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Here's Mike Sykes
Folks. I like to think I know a lot about the NBA. I've been following this league for a fairly long time. I've been covering it as a media member for more than a decade now. The NBA changes a lot, but I think I've got a pretty firm grasp on what this league is and all the things that come with it.
But I was today years old when I found out that the NBA Hustle award was actually a thing and that this wasn't just something that the league was giving Draymond Green so that he wouldn't completely wreck shop for losing the Defensive Player of the Year award to Evan Mobley.
In fact, to be completely honest with you, I'm totally convinced that that's not what this is. This really does feel like the Draymond Green award. It's totally built for him.
Just in case you thought I was lying, here it is. This is real!
And here's the description for the award via ESPN:
"Unlike most of the main awards that are handed out during this stretch each year, the Hustle Award isn't voted on. Instead, it is compiled from how a player ranks across nine statistical categories designed to show a player's impact on his team beyond the traditional box score stats. They are: charges drawn, deflections, screen assists, contested 2-point shots and 3-point shots; offensive and defensive loose balls recovered; and offensive and defensive box outs."
Does this not just sound like the triple-single award? Seriously. This is Draymond's entire bag. How is he not the only person who has ever won this award? It's somehow his first time (and this has been around since 2017!).
In all seriousness, congratulations to Draymond. This is an award that I didn't know existed, but it's kind of an awesome award. Rewarding players for doing the dirty work is necessary. It's something that should be acknowledged publicly — not just within the walls of each locker room. Salute to the NBA for doing that here.
But I'm sorry — I've got to get these jokes off. This is too funny.
Injuries are taking over the playoffs
There are two things I hope for when the playoffs finally roll around every year: Good basketball and healthy basketball players. That's all.
We've gotten quite a bit of both of those things so far through these few games. There's lots of good and exciting basketball being played through this first week of playoff ball. But injuries have also become quite the storyline in these playoffs so far.
There are a handful of stars who've come down with injuries that could change the shape of the series their teams are in.
Those are some pretty big names. We've already seen some impacts from this. The Warriors were completely destroyed in Game 2 against Houston without Butler. Morant's Grizzlies blew one of the largest leads in NBA history in his absence.
Injuries are a part of sports. They happen. It is what it is. Let's just hope the impact moving forward will be minimal.
Shootaround
— Here's more on Alijah Arenas' car crash and his recovery. Thoughts and prayers up for the kid.
— Roger Goodell is declaring war on Christmas with the NBA. After last season, the NFL will need to come harder this year.
— Kristaps Porzingis is a Celtics legend now. Tell everyone.
— David Adelman accusing the Clippers of pumping crowd noise into their arena is hilarious.
That's a wrap, folks. Enjoy the hoops this weekend. Peace.
-Sykes ✌️
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