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NBA Awards Watch: The wizardry of Mike Budenholzer

By Brad Rowland

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks to guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks to guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder – Ibaka isn’t leading the league in blocked shots (that honor goes to Anthony Davis), but he is the best combination of rim protection, mobility and disruption in the game today. Oklahoma City doesn’t always deploy Ibaka at the center spot, but he is long enough to block 2.4 shots per game and allow only 40% shooting at the rim. In addition, he is insanely talented in pick-and-roll coverage, with footspeed virtually unmatched for his size and his defensive aptitude is advanced after playing at this level for a number of years. In short, it is a lot of fun to watch him defend.
  2. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers – There is a reason that Hibbert basically “invented” verticality, and he is still going strong defensively. Interestingly, the Pacers have limited their big man to only 25.3 minutes per game this season, but he is only allowing 41.5% shooting at the rim and blocking 1.8 shots per game in that limited action. Hibbert is probably the best pure rim protector in the game (still), and he’s the anchor of everything that Indy does on that end.
  3. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz – At first blush, Gobert seems like a bizarre inclusion here, but he has been so good in limited time that he warrants consideration. The 7-foot-1 monster is leading the league in deterring shots at the rim, allowing only 38.1% shooting in the basket area, and he blocks 2.2 shots per game in less than 21 minutes. In short, he has been the game’s best shot blocker this season (including 4.7 per game in January), and at age 22, the sky is limit for him in terms of defensive impact.

Next: Rookie of the Year

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