Draymond wants Defensive Player of the Year award 'bad'

After finishing as the runner-up in back-to-back years, Draymond Green is hoping 2016-17 will be the season he takes home the Defensive Player of the Year award.

"That's something that I want to win," Green told ESPN's Chris Haynes. "And if there's anything I've ever been selfish about, it's that award. Like, I want that award."

Green has been tremendous on the defensive end through the Warriors' first 11 games, averaging 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks while ranking in the top 20 in both defensive win shares and defensive box plus/minus.

"That doesn't bother me to say I'm selfish in that regard. I want that award bad," he said. "And that's because I view myself as a defender. It's like if I view myself as a scorer then I want to win the scoring title. If I am a scorer and I say I'm a scorer and that's what I do, I want to win the scoring title because it says I was the best in this year at what I do. So that is something that I want to win."

While Green has continued to dominate, he'll still need to surpass the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard, who's been revered on the defensive end since coming into the league.

"Do I view anything as a snub? That's not for me to view or for me to judge, because at the end of the day, Kawhi Leonard is a great defender," Green said. "It's one thing if somebody (inadequate) won and I'm like, 'Hold on. Now I feel snubbed.' To say you feel snubbed by Kawhi Leonard winning the Defensive Player of the Year is a bit much."