Fansided

NBA Awards Watch: The MVP race is over

By Brad Rowland

Feb 27, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after hitting the game winning shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after hitting the game winning shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs stands for player introductions before their game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena on February 24, 2016 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs stands for player introductions before their game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena on February 24, 2016 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Kawhi Leonard, SF San Antonio Spurs – Leonard has been preposterously good on both ends of the floor this season, but his defense stand out in an even mightier way. The Spurs are allowing just 94.0 (!) points per 100 possessions when he plays, and Leonard has established himself as the best wing defender in the NBA. He presents the size necessary to make match-ups easier on his teammates with the quickness and skill to defend smaller players, and virtually every metric that evaluates impact loves his game. You can’t go wrong with Kawhi Leonard on defense.
  2. Draymond Green, PF/C Golden State Warriors – Leonard might be a better individual defender but Green’s elastic tendencies are just as vital to the Warriors. Green’s presence on the court allows Golden State to allow just 96.7 points per 100 possessions when he plays, and he can guard anyone from 1 to 5. The Warriors utilize a “death lineup” that centers around Green’s defensive versatility, and he is changing the way that the NBA is viewed on the defensive end.
  3. DeAndre Jordan, C Los Angeles Clippers – Jordan has often been criticized for the fact that the Clippers don’t collapse when he comes off the floor. However, this season’s edition has been markedly better with him on the court, and Jordan’s individual numbers (2.3 blocks per game, 10.4 defensive rebounds per game) are stellar. No one will ever be as good defensively as Doc Rivers thinks DeAndre Jordan is, but he is actually acting as a defensive force for a team that desperately needs it.

Next: Rookie of the Year

Home/Boston Celtics