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2018 NBA mid-season awards: Picking the league’s early standouts

By Jacob Doole

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 124-118. 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. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 124-118. 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. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 30: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting a three point shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on November 30, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the 76ers 108-97. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 30: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting a three point shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on November 30, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the 76ers 108-97. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year: Al Horford, Boston Celtics

Season stats: 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.0 blocks

Al Horford’s raw numbers don’t scream “Defensive Player of the Year.” Honestly, they don’t even whisper it.

It takes a deep dive into the advanced analytics, and a couple of times watching the Celtics play, to realise how good Horford has been.

His ability to defend all positions makes him the perfect player to anchor Boston’s defense. Surrounded by long and athletic wings, they can switch like crazy and not sacrifice anything in their match-ups.

That’s Horford staying in front of one of the fastest guards in the league and making it look easy. It’s that versatility that makes him so valuable, and it’s the same versatility that has won Draymond Green multiple Defensive Player of the Year gongs.

Young players tend to struggle more defensively than anywhere else, but Boston’s young roster has flourished on that end of the floor. It’s hard to understate the role that Horford’s leadership and defensive nous has played in that.

In all of the defensive advanced stats, he’s among the league leaders. He’s fifth in Defensive Rating (101.3), fourth in Defensive Win Shares (2.3) and fourth in Defensive Box Plus/Minus (3.3).

With Horford, though, the stats have never told the full story. This season more than ever, his impact goes well beyond the box score. And so far, his defensive impact has been phenomenal.

Runner up: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons 

Season stats: 14.4 points, 15.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.2 blocks

Honestly, I hadn’t even considered Drummond as a contender for this award. Maybe I haven’t watched enough Pistons games to see how much he’s improved. But his defensive numbers are way too good to ignore.

According to Basketball Reference, Drummond currently leads the league in Defensive Rating at 98.6. The next best mark? 101.0.

He also leads the league in Defensive Box Plus Minus at 5.6. The next best mark? 3.9.

Add in the fact that he’s first in Defensive Win Shares and has healthy block and steal totals, and it’s hard to deny him as a serious threat for DPOY.

Next three: Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder; Clint Capela, Houston Rockets; Andre Roberson, Oklahoma City Thunder

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