Fansided

Way-too-early 2017-18 NBA award picks

By Staff

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics reacts in against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics reacts in against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Rudy Gobert
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Rudy Gobert /

4. Defensive Player of the Year

With defense being notoriously hard to measure accurately, and a growing awareness that steals and blocks are just a small piece of the puzzle, this tends to be an award based on reputation. Here’s who our staff picked.

Rudy Gobert — 44 percent
Draymond Green — 32 percent
Kawhi Leonard — 20 percent
Also receiving votes: Hassan Whiteside

Other than the order, these results hew pretty closely to the conventional wisdom. Draymond Green won Defensive Player of the Year last season, after finishing as runner-up two years in a row. Kawhi Leonard finished third this past season, after winning the two previous seasons. Gobert finished second last year. Barring injury, it seems likely that this trio will finish 1-2-3 in some order.

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