NBA Awards Watch: Golden State Runs the Table

Defensive Player of the Year

1. Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors – Bogut is the most important defensive piece on what has easily been the best defense in the NBA. The former number one overall pick has battled health concerns throughout his decade-long career, but when he’s on the floor, the 7-footer has been an anchor defensively, and that holds true this season. Bogut is allowing opponents to shoot just 38.6% at the rim (an elite showing) and he is averaging 2.2 blocks per game in only 25.2 minutes per contest. The playing time is the only “knock” on Bogut’s candidacy, but as long as he is this good when he plays, it won’t matter.
2. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers – It isn’t Roy’s fault that the Pacers aren’t fun to watch. That simple fact keeps the majority of the public attention away from Indiana, but Hibbert has been his normal, dominant self defensively. Hibbert is allowing opponents to shoot just 40% at the rim, and with more than 2 blocks per game and a constant presence to deter opponents from even trying shots near the basket, his impact is immeasurable for a team that desperately needs to be good on defense.
3. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz – In fairness, Gobert is only playing 17.1 minutes per night, but he has been so good in that time on the court. The 7-foot-1 Gobert is incredibly capable in rim protection, with 3.5 blocks per 36 minutes (nearly 2 per game) and opponents shooting only 40.4% against him around the basket. Utah’s front line, with Gobert and Derrick Favors, is incredibly athletic, but the sheer length of the French big man is scary for the opposition, and in a more prominent role, he would be in the thick of this race.

Next: Rookie of the Year