As we sprint toward the finish line of the 2008-2009 NBA season, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award remains a one-horse race. Due to his utter domination in the paint, coupled with the Magic's improving and impressive record, Howard likely locked his first DPOY trophy some time ago. However, the race for second-place remains very interesting…
Listed below is the projected order of finish for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award (last week's rankings are in parentheses):
#1 (1) Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic (51-18): 13.9 rpg, 3.0 blocks, 0.9 steals
Although he won't crack the top three in the MVP voting (give him some time to work on that one), Howard has made an undeniable case that he deserves to be named this season's Defensive Player of the Year. The numbers speak for themselves. Here is a smattering of stats that support his candidacy: Howard currently leads the NBA in blocked shots and rebounding. Only four other players in NBA history have finished the season leading the league in both categories -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-1976 (16.9 rpg and 4.12 blocks); Bill Walton in '76-'77 (14.4 rpg and 3.3. blocks); Hakeem Olajuwon '89-'90 (14.0 rpg and 4.6 blocks); Ben Wallace (13 rpg and 3.5 blocks). Not bad company to keep… Howard also has combined 262 blocks and steals (199 blocks, 63 steals), which also leads the NBA… Dwight has recorded 10 games with 15-or-more rebounds and five-or more blocked shots this season. No other player in the NBA has had more than one game with 15+ boards and 5+ rejections. The youngest player ever to lead the league in blocked shots was Marcus Camby in 1997-1998, who was 24 years and 28 days old. Howard will best that mark this year; he will be 23 years and 128 days old on the final day of the regular season… Howard is only 54 rebounds shy of 5,000. He will be the youngest player in NBA history to record 5k boards. The previous record-holder was Wilt Chamberlain, at 25 years and 128 days… Since joining the Magic in 2004-2005, Dwight has recorded three or more blocked shots 116 times. Orlando is 78-38 (.672 winning percentage) in those contests. The Magic are 135-143 (.486) when he blocks two-or-fewer shots… After leading the Association in double-doubles last season with 69, Superman is tied for the league-lead in double-doubles once again this season. He has recorded a double-double after the first quarter alone three times this season… You guys get the idea – Superman is The Man.
#2 (2) Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat (37-32): 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 1.4 blocks
Wade's incredible play of late (over his last 10 games he is averaging 35.7 ppg, 6.1 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks) – has significantly increased the number of analysts claiming he deserves the MVP award. Interestingly, he could finish higher in the DPOY voting, then in the MVP race… Wade would become the shortest player to finish in the Top-2 in DPOY voting since Gary Payton took home the silver medal back in 1997-1998.
#3 (3) LeBron James – Cleveland Cavilers (57-13): 7.6 rpg, 1.8 steals, 1.3 blocks
By most statistical measures, the Cavs are the best defensive team in the NBA – they allow the fewest points per game (91.3 ppg) and opponents shoot just 43% from the floor. And LeBron is the best defensive player on the team, as he leads Cleveland in blocks, steals, and rebounds. Kevin Garnett was the best defensive player on the best defensive team last season, and he was awarded with the DPOY award…
#4 (5) Chris Paul– New Orleans Hornets (44-25): 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
Often criticized for his penchant for overplaying the passing lanes and gambling for steals, CP3 defensive stats are unquestionably impressive. He is a tremendous rebounder for a PG, and of course he racks up steals at an alarming rate. Paul was just recently named the Western Conference's Player of the Week after averaging 28.5 points, 9.5 assists and a league-best 4.5 steals in leading his team to a 3-1 week. Also, per the Elias Sports Bureau, "Paul had 32 points, nine assists and five steals in the Hornets' win over the Grizzlies Friday night. Paul has now produced at least 25 points, five assists and five steals in each of his last three games. Since steals became an official statistic in 1973-74, only two other players have posted 25+ points, 5+ assists and 5+ steals in three consecutive games: Alvin Robertson (1986) and Michael Jordan (four straight in 1990 and three straight in 1987)."
#5 (4) Kevin Garnett – Boston Celtics (53-18): 8.6 rpg, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks
His recent injury, in addition to his depressed stats and the Celtics relatively disappointing regular season, will cumulatively cost KG the chance to repeat as the DPOY. However, don't expect Garnett to lose much sleep over it; the only hardware he cares about (the Larry O'Brien trophy) is handed out in late June.
Honorable Mentions:
Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers: As one of the most gifted players on the planet, Kobe can be a lock-down defender when he chooses to.
Bruce Bowen – San Antonio Spurs: Bowen has finished in the Top 4 in Defensive Player of the Year voting every season since 2003-2004, but it looks like Bruce may have finally run out of gas. Bowen is averaging just 20 minutes per game (and just 0.5 steals and 0.1 blocks) and can't quite get after it like he used to... Still, ask any offensive-minded wing player in the Association, the last thing they want to see is Bruce Bowen check in to the game, point, and say: "I got him."
