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NBA Award Watch: Wade, Kanter and Durant make first appearances

By Akash Anavarathan

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 28: Dwyane Wade
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 28: Dwyane Wade /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Brandon Ingram
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Brandon Ingram /

Defensive Player of the Year

Draymond Green, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, won the award due to his versatility and ability to guard various positions on the court.

That’s the same reason I think Kevin Durant wins the award this season. While Stephen Curry has taken on most of the offensive load for the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant has been a key defender, taking on point guards and even some centers.

While Durant may only be averaging 24.9 points per game — his lowest since his rookie season in the NBA — he’s also averaging a career-high two blocks per game.

Watching the Warriors, while Green is still dominating the defensive end of the floor, Durant’s length, athleticism and on-ball defense has become very prominent in watching them play. While his offensive output may not be stellar — to Durant’s standards — his defensive output has reached a new peak.

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