Zion explains what makes Draymond such a unique defender

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Prior to their two matchups Monday and Tuesday, Draymond Green and New Orleans Pelicans star big man Zion Williamson had never played against each other.

So hey Zion, what are your takeaways after battling the three-time NBA champion two nights in a row?

"He has a high IQ for the game," the 20-year-old told the media after the Pelicans' 108-103 win Tuesday night. "He's a great basketball player. He knows where to take his reaches, when to be physical without drawing the foul.

"I got a lot of respect for him."

Zion on Tuesday definitely made some shots in the paint over a contesting Draymond. He was able to get to his spot on a handful of occasions and find the angle to score.

But the 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year absolutely won a number of possessions as well.

"I was asking him a couple questions because I'm always trying to learn the game myself," Zion added. "I got a lot of respect for him.

"He's physical with IQ, and a lot of people don't do that. But he does."

The No. 1 overall pick from the 2019 draft entered this week's games against the Warriors shooting 61.6 percent from the field for the season.

RELATED: Zion in awe of Steph and Draymond's chemistry, relationship

Draymond was a big reason why Zion shot a combined 48.8 percent (20-for-41) vs. Golden State.

"If you had to pick one guy in the NBA to guard Zion, Draymond would be that guy," Steve Kerr said Monday night. "He has seen everything, he's the smartest defender in the league, but he's got the strength to be able to stay in front of him.

"When you have Draymond, it's the ultimate weapon defensively."

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