Chicago Bulls players that can limit Stephen Curry: Javonte Green
The picture above says all you need to know about the types of defensive matchups that Donovan is slotting shooting guard Javonte Green in this season. Green is taking a lot of the tougher defensive matchups for the Bulls that the currently-injured second-year forward Patrick Williams would assume for the team otherwise.
Someone had to do it, but it is pretty surprising that Donovan keeps trying to use the 6-foot-4 Green to defend players like Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Durant, and even Al Horford at times this season.
The bulk of his minutes this season have Green defending the team’s opposing power forward. But he’s actually been the most effective in guarding at the three or the four compared to the one or the two. According to NBA stat tracking, Green has drawn 10 turnovers and blocked three shots when defending the three or the four. He’s also allowed around a field goal percentage of 42 and a 43 three-point shooting percentage defending forwards.
Green fits the bill of the type of player that Curry has trouble against this season. Two of the most effective defensive stoppers when matched up with Curry this season were lengthy and versatile wings/two-guards like Green. Those other two were De’Andre Hunter and Kent Bazemore, who both held Curry under 30 percent shooting from the field with multiple turnovers.
Yet, the main reason why Bulls fans should be encouraged if Green is defending Steph is the fact that he’s done very well defending guards/wings like him this season. Or, at least he’s done well defending players of Curry’s caliber of star.
Two good examples of this came when Green defended Luka Doncic and Seth Curry. In the Bulls’ win over the Mavs, Green held Doncic to 33 percent shooting from the field, with one assist, and one turnover. Meanwhile, Curry missed on both attempts from beyond the arc when Green was defending him when the Bulls faced the Philadelphia 76ers last week. Curry also had one assist and one turnover when matched up with Green.