Draymond criticizes NBA award voting after Poole snubbed of MIP

Nobody can convince Draymond Green that Jordan Poole isn't deserving of the NBA's Most Improved Player Award. 

And most of the basketball world would probably agree with him. 

Poole was ultimately not selected, as Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant, Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland and San Antonio Spurs star Dejounte Murray were the three finalists. 

On the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show, the Warriors leader explained why superstars like Morant should not have been among the finalists while also passionately criticizing the voting process. 

"Now I'm not taking anything away from Ja Morant and the improvements that he's made, I think it's been incredible," Green said. "But, in the same token, Ja Morant was the number two pick in the NBA Draft. I'm sorry, but when you draft someone with the number two pick -- it doesn't always happen -- but you expect them to be that good. That's why you drafted them with the number two pick ... Ja Morant was supposed to be this good. Dejounte Murray was, what, the 29th pick? Again, I can't argue him being in that conversation."

Whether it be Most Improved Player, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, or any other award voted on by the media, Draymond believes the process needs to be changed. 

"I think the voting system, it's one of those things that's completely ridiculous and outdated," Green added. "There's no criteria in place for any of these awards. There's no, 'You have to play this amount of games or not.' There isn't, 'What makes someone the Most Improved Player?' There is no criteria in place. MVP Award, there is no criteria in place."

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Winning such awards can ultimately help trigger larger contract extensions. Last season, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum lost out on approximately $32 million after not being selected to the All-NBA team. Having won the award would have triggered the designated rookie extension criteria, allowing Boston to pay him at a higher percentage in the following contract extension. 

That's one big reason why Green believes the media -- specifically media members who do not watch every game of every team -- shouldn't be deciding awards with such big implications. 

"Ultimately, these things are voted on by the media, which I think is absolutely disgusting because these are human beings that could have personal issues against guys because that does happen," Green said. "Let's face it, these are human beings. And they ultimately end up deciding on $40-50 million for guys. Jayson Tatum did not make All-NBA last year and he lost $37 million I think. All because someone who is watching the game decided that he wasn't an All-NBA performer. These are also people that don't watch every game. 

"How is it possible that you can say Jordan Poole isn't the most improved player and you haven't watched him play all year, nor did you watch him play all last year. How is it possible? So there's a huge flaw in the system and it's ridiculous that it hasn't been changed, especially with the amount of money that's at stake."

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With Poole and the Warriors likely to begin negotiations over a contract extension this summer, the 22-year-old will not be adding any personal hardware to his name. 

If the Warriors end up winning their fourth NBA championship in eight seasons, though, the Larry O'Brien Trophy should suffice. 

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