NBA Awards Watch: Stephen Curry Holds the Crown

Defensive Player of the Year

1. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers – It has become “cool” to suggest that Roy Hibbert isn’t good at basketball, but that simply isn’t true. His offensive game certainly isn’t pleasing to the eye, and there have been struggles there, but on the other end of the floor, no one can object to Hibbert’s dominance as a traditional rim protector. The 7-foot-2 center is holding opponents to less than 40% shooting at the rim while averaging 2 blocks per game, and without him, Indiana would be in far worse shape than their current 9-19 record.
2. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder – Oklahoma City boasts a top-5 defense for the season, and when you consider that the “big two” of Durant and Westbrook missed considerable time, all signs point to Serge Ibaka. Some were disappointed by Ibaka’s lack of explosion offensively in the absence of his two partners in crime, but the defense never wavered, and Ibaka currently sits in a tie for second in the NBA in blocks per game at 2.36. He is the rare combination of a big man with exceptional range and athleticism who also handles himself brilliantly around the rim, and it is a legitimate pleasure to watch him defend.
3. Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors – After sitting atop this list in the recent past, Bogut’s resume has taken a hit due to the fact that he is injured. The former number one overall pick has a checkered injury history, and there is no denying that, but when he has played this season, the results have followed. Bogut’s 2.2 blocks per game speak for themselves, but he also leads qualified big men in defending the rim, allowing opponents to shoot only 39.2% in the basket area, and he is the cornerstone of the best defense in the NBA. Get back soon.

Next: Rookie of the Year