I was reading through NBA.com earlier and noticed that they did a little piece about Battier's defensive presence as a reason the Rockets are doing so great, which lead me to think: does Battier have a legitimate shot at winning Defensive Player of the Year? Unsure if the title is based on stats alone, or if the judges have to dig deeper to see the intangibles of a player and determine it based on that, but does anyone here think that Battier has a legitimate shot at winning this? He's a huge part of why we are doing so good right now. Who else is out there that's been more important to a team defensively? Josh Howard? Bruce Bowen?
This is an interesting question. If you have the number one defense, and there is one guy who plays the role of a defensive stopper, guarding the 2, 3 or 4, you would have to consider them. That almost describes Bowen as well.
Battier should, but he won't because his defensive "playmaking" (i.e. steals, blocks) isn't as good as some of the other contenders. His positioning, anticipation, and rotations are the best in the league. But the average voter cares more about blocks and steals.
Deke has been an effective defensvie force in the paint, nobody can deny that. But when Yao comes, his mins will be limited especially when Yao fully recovers. Shane is without a doubt a defensive machine but in general the rockets defense is a team effort. Everybody's doing a great job on that. Shane is also an offensive threat, posting and hitting shots from the rainbow. That all said, I think the Rockets success is a team effort, and credit is also due to great coaching. (I just don't know if this can sustain til the playoffs without developing our new talents)
I think Shane plays excellent as "team" defender , but as an individual (1 on 1) defender, he's pretty good , but his stats does not reflect that , therefore he will most likely not get picked for that title. Mutombo on the other hand defend great 1on1 and has the stats to back it up.
Bat man is very tough but I don't think he'll get the nod over some others...and JVG's system hurts him as an individual defender with the media because the "system" is what produces the numbers and not the players...that's how the media spins it.
Ususally "stats" coupled with 'team success' are the items that get someone Defensive Player of the Year. I actually think Battier has a chance. But I wouldn't hold my breath. Maybe Battier can get 1st All Defensive team though. In terms of perimeter defenders, right now Battier in "JVG's defensive system" is very, very good!
one of the bad side effects of not really caring much for these "awards" is that I am unsure who picks for this one. Is it media members? coaches? coaches and players? It certainly isn't a fan vote so I dont think stats are going to be the deciding factor. Lets look at who has won this in the past and see if they had the gaudy defensive stats (blocks/steals) I would do this right now if I weren't on a dialup at the terminal, so if anyone thinks this would be a good comparison to make can maybe pull up the stats. I honestly think if left up to the professionals that are actually IN the league Shane has a great chance of being in the running. He IS the guy that makes the number one ranked defense click.
his stats won't get him the award. you have to watch him night in and night out to really appreciate how much of a presence he is.
Well, Bruce Bowen has won the award so Battier has a chance. It doesn't hurt that Battier was chosen OVER Bowen for the Olympic Team because of his ability to guard larger, stronger players.
It is the media who votes. Here are the results from last year: http://www.nba.com/news/bwallace_060508.html Shane got one second place vote to finish in 10th place. He should get more votes this year.
I've never recalled someone who doesn't fill up the stats winning the DPOY. I highly doubt Battier's gonna win it, Jermaine O'Neal, Emeka Okafor, and Marcus Camby have been the forerunners for a while now, especially JO'Neal. Maybe the NBA should invent a Glue Guy of the Year or Team Player of the Year, he would win those for sure.
he has a chance of getting it, along with Mutombo, remember, we do have the league's best defense, and looking at most of the past winners, most come from teams with the league's best defenses. I think Mourning might have shot. Kirlenko, shouldn't win it, he gets lit up at times. Maybe Marcus Camby. Bruce Bowen is not what he used to be.
