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NBA Awards Watch: The Andrew Wiggins breakout

By Brad Rowland

NBA -- Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) laughs during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Trail Blazers 90-82. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
NBA -- Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) laughs during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Trail Blazers 90-82. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers – The 7-foot-2 Hibbert isn’t doing anything differently, but he has been the best rim protector in the NBA for some time and deserves recognition for that. Hibbert is allowing opponents to shoot only 40% at the rim this season (an uber-elite figure) and with 1.9 blocks per game in less than 27 minutes, his statistical impact is on par with his sheer ability to inspire fear in the opposition when they enter the lane. For better or worse, this award isn’t always (or even usually) given to the best defender, but if we remove the white noise, Roy Hibbert has been the best of the best this season.
  2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs – Wouldn’t it be insane if Tim Duncan was in real contention for the DPOY at age 38? The future Hall of Famer is averaging 2.1 blocks per game while anchoring a top-5 team defense in the league, and Duncan has been putting in yeoman’s work while many members of San Antonio’s roster miss significant time with injuries. Obviously, Duncan isn’t the same player athletically that he once was, but his positioning is so utterly flawless that it almost doesn’t matter, and he has continued to be an effective deterrent for the opposition at the rim while remaining mobile enough to play high-end pick-and-roll defense as well. Lifetime achievement awards don’t exist (or he’d win one), but even in a one-year snapshot, he’s been fantastic.
  3. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder – Oklahoma City has actually taken a step back defensively from a team standpoint season, allowing 101.0 points per 100 possessions, but that can’t be pinned to Ibaka. The rangy big man is averaging 2.2 blocks per game while allowing only 41.9% shooting around the rim, and Ibaka’s unique blend of length and athleticism makes him nearly impossible to deal with on a play-by-play basis. It would certainly help Ibaka to play with some lineups better suited to defensive excellence, but individually, he hasn’t slipped.

Next: Rookie of the Year

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