January 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
Had it not been for the fact that he was featured here as the DPOY, Green certainly would’ve been runner up to Jimmy Butler as Most Improved Player in the NBA. His transformation into the anchor of the NBA’s elite defensive unit in his third year in the league has truly been something to marvel at.
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Draymond Green currently ranks as the top rated defender in the NBA. He’s contributed more defensive win shares to his team so far this season than any other player has to theirs. He came into the league as a 2nd round pick back in 2012 when he was taken 35th overall by the Warriors, a selection that originally belonged to the then New Jersey Nets.
Green is king in most advanced defensive metrics this season, and his ability to defend practically every position on the court with incredible efficiency is what makes him such a weapon in the Warriors’ winning formula.
Runner Up: Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
The Big Fundamental is a player who has managed to remain a dominant force in the NBA for nearly two decades, and he has done so by continuously adapting and doing his part to make the San Antonio Spurs a perennial title team.
His defensive prowess has consistently been over shadowed through out his lengthy tenure in the league by what he brings to the table offensively. This season though he is the 2nd highest rated defensive player in the league, should that mark hold up it’ll be the 14th time he has finished top-5 in the category throughout his career.
Next: Most Valuable Player