With less than 100 days until the start of the NBA season, now seems like the perfect time to make some early awards predictions. Today we are focusing on the lock down defenders. From the annoying to the feared, these defensive specialists have the ability to destroy game plans.
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award was first handed out after the 1982-83 season. Guard Sidney Moncrief was the first player to ever receive the award. Moncrief went on to win the award the following season also. Last season San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard won the award for the second time in his career.
Here are the frontrunners for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Early Frontrunners For NBA Defensive Player Of The Year
1. Kawhi Leonard – Small Forward – San Antonio Spurs
Kawhi Leonard will look to become the first player since Dwight Howard to win the award three years in a row. Leonard or “The Claw” as he has been named by Spurs fans, will look to once again dominate with his superior defense. With his 11 inch hands, Leonard has gained a reputation for being the best on ball defender in the NBA.
Last season Leonard averaged 1.8 steals, 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 block per game. Leonard always finds a way to disrupt and annoy his opposition. Leonard won’t just be trying to retain his defensive player of the year title, but he will also attempt to put together an MVP caliber year. It will take a monumental effort from Leonard to win both prestigious awards.
Leonard is an unselfish player and personal awards probably aren’t as high on his list as overall team achievements. Leonard is the clear favorite to win this award, and he should have another quality year in San Antonio.
2. Draymond Green – Power Forward – Golden State Warriors
Draymond Green finished as the runner-up last season in both the Defensive Player of the Year voting and in the NBA Finals. A disappointing season in terms of results, but Green actually had a great season statistically. Green averaged 9.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.5 steals, which are great defensive stats all around. But Green could do even better, and new teammate Kevin Durant is the key.
Green has a great impact on this Warriors team. You could even make the argument that he is the most valuable player on the team. With the team making Green the fourth option offensively by signing Durant, Green now has the opportunity to focus purely on defense. This of course will only help him win Defensive Player of the Year honors.
With Green’s defensive numbers already a standout, his new role will only help them rise even more. Green has a legitimate chance of winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. But to do so he will need to kick Leonard off his thrown.
3. Paul George – Small Forward – Indiana Pacers
After an awful leg injury suffered in 2014, Paul George made a great comeback. Making the playoffs with the Pacers and showing the league, he’s still the same player. George is a very good defensive player and will hope his efforts will lead Indiana to a top 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Last season George averaged 7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game and led the Pacers to the playoffs. George plays with great defensive length and plays very smart basketball. George is hitting his prime and is due a major award. Winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, may kick start a period of great success for George and the Pacers.
George didn’t receive a single vote for the award last season. But with the Pacers making some good additions to the roster, George won’t have to do as much on offense. Meaning he can focus more on the other end of the court, and help the Pacers make the playoffs once again.
4. Chris Paul – Point Guard – Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul is the definition of a savvy veteran, he is the clear leader for his Clippers team. Playing well at both ends of the court, is something Paul has done for over 10 years. Being one of the best defensive point guards in the whole NBA, Paul always finds a way to impact the game.
With a great ability to get steals and create fast break situations, Paul is the Clippers best player on offense and defense. Paul has led the league in steals six times, and he currently sits 17th all-time in steals. Above NBA greats Magic Johnson and LeBron James.
Paul has a great chance to win the award, due to having an impact all over the court. Paul is set for another quality year, and should lead the Clippers to the playoffs once again.
5. Andrew Wiggins – Shooting Guard – Minnesota Timberwolves
2014’s No.1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins has made great strides in his first two seasons, proving he was worthy of going No.1 overall. The Timberwolves guard has tons of potential and this season Wiggins could finally make the jump. There is no limit to what Wiggins can become, future NBA star is a prediction many have made.
Wiggins didn’t put together great defensive numbers last season, averaging 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 0.6 blocks. But with Wiggins’s frame and height he has everything a prototypical defensive player would want. Wiggins is still growing as a player and is an outsider for this award. But if he improves as many expect him too, Wiggins’s defensive numbers will rise.
The Timberwolves are expected to take a step forward this coming season. With Karl-Anthony Towns and Wiggins, the Timberwolves not only have a great young duo, but a great young roster.
Wiggins can win this award, but it may take a Minnesota playoff appearance to make it happen.
Main Photo: LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES – MARCH 27: D.J. Augustin (12) and Nikola Jokic (15) of Denver Nuggets are in action against Chris Paul (3) and DeAndre Jordan (R) of LA Clippers during a NBA game between Los Angeles Clippers vs Denver Nuggets at Staples Center, Los Angeles , CA, USA on March 27, 2016. (Photo by Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
