Having a defensive presence sets the tone for your team’s identity. The Warriors and 49ers share one thing in common: they know their defensive anchor.Former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green, on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” made NBA-to-NFL player comparisons, and chose another legendary Bay Area athlete for his.
“I think the way that Fred Warner at linebacker can completely f–k up an offense,” Green said. “He hasn’t been your typical linebacker, and yet he created his path and became great. I would say the Fred Warner comp is none other than myself. A guy who would absolutely f–k your entire team’s offense. Not quite the status quo of what everyone was looking for at that position. And yet, come out, and kind of recreate.”
Coming out of college, neither prospect was expected to develop into the impact player they ultimately became. Green, a second-round pick out of Michigan State, had to earn his minutes with relentless effort on both sides of the floor. Warner, a third-round pick out of BYU, was in a similar boat.
It didn’t take...