Keldon Johnson saved NBA from massive mistake no fan wants to see

Defensive Player of the Year was supposed to be Victor Wembanyama's award. Most know that he should have won last season when they opted to give it to Rudy Gobert, but there was no question this time around. Wembanyama was basically lapping the competition. He was so far ahead in FanDuel's odds to win the award, there was no point in discussing anyone else.

When he went out, it was open season and several guys became deserving. Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley was at the head of the pack. He's been having a standout season and defense has been his calling card. But then, Draymond Green began a national campaign for the award and soon after, his odds skyrocketed, putting him in the lead.

It was the strangest thing I've ever seen. Green is still a special defensive player but he shouldn't be in the lead to win this award. That's where Keldon Johnson comes in. Last night, Harrison Barnes may have hit the shot to seal the win, but Johnson was big late in the fourth quarter, scoring several buckets right in Draymond's face. That sequence may change everything for the former DPOY winner.

Johnson may cost Draymond Green Defensive Player of the Year

Victor Wembanyama may not get the award everyone knows he deserves but that doesn't mean Thanos gets to win. We've already done that dance. Green isn't doing anything noteworthy this season to demand he lead the pack.

Wembanyama isn't eligible due to not reaching the 65-game eligibility requirement to win NBA awards. If that rule wasn't in place, he would have a stronger argument for winning it than Draymond does despite the Alien's absence from the court since mid-February.

Vic is still leading the league in total blocks with 176. Brook Lopez will finish second. He only has 144 and unless he turns into Mr. Fantastic, he's not getting 33 blocks in the three games Milwaukee has left. Draymond, on the other hand, doesn't have anything going for him other than good PR.

To expand on Brandon Rahbar's point, Green is 23rd in steals and 34th in blocks. The Golden State Warriors are seventh in defensive rating, but that's not top five and their defense didn't really start clicking until Jimmy Butler arrived. The Warriors are not only not a top-three seed in the Western Conference, but it's looking like they'll be fighting to make the playoffs via the Play-In Tournament.

Given all of this information, it's highly unlikely Draymond Green will take home that award. The NBA community should thank Keldon Johnson for his service in ensuring the league's biggest villain doesn't get to watch the sunset on an ungrateful universe.