Draymond Green, one of the most feared defenders of his generation, has been a key figure in the Golden State Warriors’ four NBA championships. Known for his tenacious defense, versatility, and leadership on the floor, Green has faced some of the best players the league has to offer. But despite his defensive prowess, there’s one player who, according to Green, was the toughest challenge he ever encountered on defense.
Kevin Durant Was the Toughest Assignment for Draymond Green
In a recent conversation with streamer Kai Cenat, Green opened up about his career and revealed that guarding Kevin Durant during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder was the toughest task of his career. “The hardest player I’ve had to guard in my career is KD. KD in OKC,” Green admitted.
Back in the early stages of his career, Green was still finding his footing in the NBA after being drafted 35th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. As he recalls, trying to slow down the explosive Durant during his time with the Thunder felt nearly impossible.
Green continued, “After that, I figured him out, right? Slim can’t score on me no more – nah, he’s going to score on everybody, but I got better and learned more about his game.” It wasn’t until Green had the chance to play alongside Durant on the Warriors from 2016-2019 that he felt like he had cracked the code on how to defend the lethal scorer.
A Unique Defensive Challenge in Oklahoma City
But when Durant was still in OKC, Green found himself often overmatched, struggling to contain the forward’s offensive arsenal. “In OKC and just coming into the league and figuring – oh my God. No chance,” Green said, recalling how overwhelming the matchup was at the time.
Once Durant joined the Warriors, Green had a front-row seat to Durant’s scoring ability, which also gave him valuable insight into the best ways to defend him. Despite that, Green has the utmost respect for Durant’s skill, acknowledging that while he may have figured out ways to guard him, Durant remains one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA.
The Most Challenging Players in the NBA Today
While Durant may have been the toughest for Green in his early years, the NBA landscape has shifted, and now Green faces new challenges. Currently, Nikola Jokic and Luka Dončić are at the top of his list when it comes to difficult players to defend.
Green said, “The hardest now is Joker. I play with Steph [Curry] so I don’t have that headache. Joker, Luka will always be one of the toughest covers, but that ain’t my matchup. Of my matchups, the hardest to guard right now is Joker.”
Jokic, the reigning two-time MVP, is a force in the post and has the unique ability to control the game with his passing and playmaking skills. Dončić, with his incredible footwork and scoring ability, is another nightmare for defenders, although Green isn’t tasked with guarding him directly.
The Mystery Player Draymond Green Won’t Name
But Green wasn’t done talking about tough matchups. He mentioned another player who has proven to be a particularly difficult assignment but chose not to reveal their identity. “There’s one that’s really tough… I’m not saying it. I don’t want to give him that edge. He probably doesn’t believe he has that edge, so I can’t give him that edge,” Green teased, leaving fans to speculate who this mystery player might be.
Could it be Alperen Şengün of the Houston Rockets, especially after the Warriors barely edged past the Rockets in the opening round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs? It’s an intriguing possibility, but for now, it remains a mystery.
As Draymond Green continues to battle it out in the NBA, it’s clear that even one of the league’s toughest defenders recognizes that there are always new challenges to face, and his respect for his opponents runs deep. Whether it’s Durant, Jokic, or someone yet to be revealed, Green’s ability to adapt and improve remains one of the reasons he is regarded as one of the best defenders the NBA has ever seen.
