Preseason basketball is here. That means we can finally talk about what happens on the court instead of all the drama that happens off it. But before the first tip in Golden State on Saturday, something special happened. The Warriors were scheduled to play the Denver Nuggets in the first preseason game of the 2017-18 season, but the start was briefly interrupted by an important ceremony.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was presented with the Defensive Player of the Year award by a special guest: childhood hero and friend Ben Wallace.
4x Defensive Player of the Year.. Ben Wallace.. surprises @Money23Green with his 2017 #KiaDPOY hardware! #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/2pRqZJCMSu
— NBA (@NBA) October 1, 2017
Wallace appeared at center court with the award, where a thrilled Green soon joined him with a hug. Wallace and Green posed for photos while the Oracle Arena crowd went crazy.
Ben Wallace presents @Money23Green with his 2016-17 NBA @Kia_Motors Defensive Player of the Year award 💪🏽🏆 pic.twitter.com/0ZIGs51MzN
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 1, 2017
It was another cool moment for Warriors fans, who have had no shortage of fun things to celebrate these past few months. Golden State is still celebrating its second title in three years, and they’re the huge favorites to win another slew of awards this season.
Green, for example, celebrated his new hardware in the game’s first few minutes with a huge block of Jamal Murray and a steal. He says he keeps getting better every season, and if that’s the case, Wallace better keep his calendar open in late September next year just in case.
