In an NBA career defined by defensive mastery, Draymond Green has faced nearly every superstar scorer the league has to offer. From guards with explosive quickness to towering big men with unstoppable post moves, Green has built his legacy on being the ultimate defensive anchor for the Golden State Warriors. A four-time NBA champion, 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, and nine-time All-Defensive Team selection, Green’s reputation is built on shutting down the best of the best.

Yet even one of the greatest defenders of all time admits that there are players who are nearly impossible to stop. For Green, the toughest challenge of his career has been Nikola Jokic, the reigning Denver Nuggets superstar and widely considered the best center in basketball today.

A Defensive Anchor in a Scorer’s League

Standing just 6’6” in a league where most power forwards and centers tower over him, Green has made his name not through size but through intelligence, anticipation, and sheer competitiveness. His ability to switch onto any position—from guarding point guards like Kyrie Irving to contesting centers like Anthony Davis—has been pivotal to the Warriors’ dynasty over the last decade.

But even for a defensive genius like Green, there are players who test the limits of his skillset. When reflecting on his career, Green pointed first to Kevin Durant during his Oklahoma City Thunder days as the hardest early matchup of his career. “The hardest player I have had to guard in my career is Kevin Durant. KD and OKC. After that, I figured him out,” Green admitted in a recent appearance on Kai Cenat’s livestream.

That was back in 2012, when Green entered the league and Durant was already a scoring machine. Later, of course, the two would become teammates in Golden State from 2016 to 2019, winning two championships together. Green has since developed ways to defend Durant more effectively, though even he concedes that KD is “going to score on everybody.”

Jokic Becomes the Modern Nightmare

When asked about his toughest challenge today, however, Green didn’t hesitate: it’s Nikola Jokic.

“The hardest now is Joker [Nikola Jokic],” Green revealed. “I play with Steph, so I don’t have that headache … Luka [Doncic] will always be one of the toughest, but that ain’t my matchup. The hardest to guard right now is Joker.”

Jokic presents a unique problem for defenders like Green. Unlike traditional centers who primarily operate in the post, Jokic is an all-around offensive weapon. He can score with his back to the basket, step out for three-pointers, thread passes that rival point guards, and even initiate fast breaks. At 7’0” and over 280 pounds, his combination of size, touch, and basketball IQ makes him a matchup nightmare.

Playoff Battles Between Green and Jokic

Green’s respect for Jokic is rooted in direct experience. During the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Green was the primary defender on Jokic when the Warriors faced the Nuggets in the first round. While Golden State advanced in five games, Green’s defensive effort was crucial in slowing Jokic just enough to allow the Warriors’ offense to flourish.

Still, even then, Jokic averaged 31.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in the series, showing just how difficult he is to contain. Green acknowledged that Jokic has only gotten better since then, adding more polish to his offensive arsenal and using his size to exploit mismatches. “He just keeps you on your toes,” Green said, recognizing that even his best defensive tricks often aren’t enough.

Luka Doncic and the “Secret” Challenge

Green also noted that Luka Doncic ranks among the most difficult players in the league to guard, but clarified that he doesn’t usually match up directly against him. Playing alongside Stephen Curry has spared him from taking on the full brunt of Doncic’s offensive brilliance.

Interestingly, Green mentioned that there is another player who has recently been giving him trouble—but he refused to reveal the name. “I wouldn’t want to give this opponent that mental edge,” Green explained, hinting at the competitive mind games that fuel elite-level matchups.

Why Jokic Is Such a Unique Challenge

For most defenders, the problem with Jokic is that he doesn’t have a single weakness to target. Crowd him inside, and he can step out and shoot. Send a double team, and he’ll pick apart the defense with his passing. Play him one-on-one, and he’ll use his size to dominate in the post.

Green, who has built his career on reading opponents and anticipating plays, admits that Jokic’s unpredictability makes him different. “You can’t take away everything from him,” Green said in past interviews, “so you just try to make it as tough as possible.”

That sentiment is echoed around the league, as multiple defenders and coaches have called Jokic the toughest cover in the NBA today.

Legacy of a Defender

Draymond Green’s acknowledgement of Jokic as his most difficult modern matchup doesn’t diminish his own defensive greatness—it enhances it. The very best defenders know when to give respect, and Green has spent over a decade proving that he can hold his own against anyone. His career will always be remembered for his role in Golden State’s dynasty, but it’s also defined by the fact that he relishes guarding the toughest players night after night.

For now, Jokic remains the one player who continues to push him to his limits. And in Green’s eyes, that challenge is what keeps him motivated even as he enters the later stages of his career.