As the 2016-17 NBA season inches closer and closer to a close, it’s become a two-man race for the Defensive Player of the Year award
The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award is essentially down to two players now.
First, we have Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz. Gobert is the best rim-protector in the game, and there is no secret that he owns the paint. Gobert is a freak athlete, with an unbelievable 7-foot-9 wingspan, and 9-foot-7 standing reach.
The 7-foot-1 Frenchman never fails to let his opponents know that he will be controlling the interior scoring. Gobert continues to lead in Defensive Real Plus Minus (DRPM), and he continues to lead the league in blocks with 2.6 blocks per contest. A no doubter for the All-Defensive First Team, Gobert has a very strong case for being Defensive Player of the Year.
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He is arguably the main reason why the Jazz are the leader for opponent points per game (96.5). Gobert has 20 blocks in his last five games, including eight blocks against the Pacers Monday Night.
Next, we have Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors. Green isn’t the paint presence that Gobert is, nor does he have the freaky physical measurements, but Green is one of the few players in the NBA who can guard all five positions on the court.
Not many 6-foot-7 power forwards can stay with quicker guards. The combination of his basketball IQ, passion for the game, his energy, his work ethic, and his love for doing whatever it takes for his team to win all make him such a unique defensive player.
He wants to be the one that does all the dirty work. Green is second (behind Gobert) in DRPM, and is the league leader in steals per game at 2.11. Green had a triple double in a win over the Grizzlies this year with rebounds (11), assists (10), and steals (10). This is the first triple-double in NBA history without the points. With Durant’s injury, Green has had to pick up some of the offensive slack, but his defense continues to be stellar.
Green is another no doubter for the All-Defensive First Team, and also has a very strong case for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
It comes down to what you value more. Do you value the best rim-protector in the game, or the most versatile defender in the game? Both Gobert and Green deserve this award, but only one will get it.
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They are neck and neck right now, and with the season dwindling down, we do not have too much more time left in the season for separation. This will be an extremely close race all the way down to the finish line.