Miami Heat’s LeBron James believes he’s been snubbed in Defensive Player of the Year Voting

There isn’t much doubt that Miami Heat forward LeBron James is not only the best player in the NBA today, but is one of the all-time great players in the history of the game.

His numbers have been ridiculous since day one. Over his career, he’s averaged 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He’s shot 49.5% from the field (but will wind up shooting over 50.0% from the field for the fifth straight season after this year), 33.8% from beyond the arc and 74.7% from the free throw line.

However, defense has been a big part of the reason for James’ success and he prides himself on that ability.

James recently talked with Ira Winderman, a long time Heat writer for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, about many things and Winderman asked James if he thought his defense was overlooked.

"On being overlooked for the Defensive Player of the Year Award: “To be honest, I feel I’ve been snubbed two years in a row, and Im serious.  And that’s one selfish thing about me. . . . I feel like I should have won it.”"

Honestly, James has a argument, but the last three winners of the award have been Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler and Marc Gasol, all big men who grab a lot of rebounds and block and change a lot of shots, rather than excellent man-to-man defenders.