NBA: 2019-20 dark horse award predictions

Defensive Player of the Year: Joel Embiid

Rudy Gobert is the reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Draymond Green took the award in 2017, and prior to that Kawhi Leonard won back-to-back. All three of those players are expected to be a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year Award when this season comes to an end. But if Joel Embiid can remain healthy, he’s likely to cause some disruption.

Embiid averaged 1.9 blocks per game last season. That was good enough for sixth in the NBA. With improved conditioning and more minutes on the floor, he could lead the league in blocked shots this year. The two-time All-Star expects to be the 76ers to be the No. 1 team, and he knows that defense is going to be the key to achieving that goal.

"“All I’m looking to do is have the best defense in the league and have over 60 wins,” shared Embiid with reporters last week. “Whatever it takes to get the No. 1 seed — however many wins we need — we’ve got to make it happen.”"

With that type of focus, Embiid will show the way not just with blocked shots, but with how he defends some of the toughest assignments in the league. There will be a few marquee matchups throughout the season that will help Embiid make his case for Defensive Player of the Year. He’ll go head-to-head with Giannis Antetokounmpo, attempt to stop Russell Westbrook from finishing at the rim and have to handle Nikola Jokic. It will be Embiid’s ability to shine defensively in those moments that will help secure the award.