I know there will be some here who disagree with the choice. Who were the other candidates this season? Top 8 defensive teams (based on defensive efficiency) were: ORL, BOS, CLE, HOU, SAS, LAL, CHA (!), and DEN. To me, the DPOY needs to come from one of those teams. So, possible candidates (picking, subjectively, the top defenders on these teams): Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, LeBron James, Ben Wallace, Ron Artest, Shane Battier, Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Trevor Ariza, Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafur, Kenyon Martin, Nene, Chris Andersen.
Ridiculous and undeserved. This is just the "Rebounds and Blocks Award." That's the only explanation for guys like like Howard and Camby winning it. And Lebron James and Dwyane Wade 2nd and 3rd? Tell me that's not a result of Lebron's fast break blocks and Wade's high amount of blocks for a 6-4 guy. What a sham, just like Coach of the Year.
While I don't have a pick, there's 3 players just on the Rockets (Hayes, Artest, Battier) that defend better than those three. But Howard, James and Wade make the highlight reel plays while they do not.
Saying Lebron is the 2nd best defender in the NBA is a downright joke. Sure he can man up and swat a couple fast break layups into the seats, but they never call a foul on the guy so how defensive minded can he really be?
It's a good choice but the guy above me who said it's just a rebounds and blocks award...I feel like it's that at times. Artest had a legitimate shot at winning this award...and it's a insult to vote Lebron second to this award. Artest has literally SHUT guys down this season, when guys are gameplanning around your defense...seriously. Watch tonight how many picks Roy gets to score BY HIMSELF. The Blazers are desperately trying to get Artest off his man. Artest performance against James himself should be enough to at least finish 3rd. This means that Artest will finish on 2nd or 3rd team and that is just wrong. Lebron's defense has improved but it's nowhere close to the level of Battier or Artest. When you have teams trying to get Artest off his guy...and Artest's guy is a all-star like Roy. That says a lot about his defense. It says "This is a mismatch for us and we need to force them to switch so our all-star can get a favorable matchup." They need to let the CURRENT player and coaches vote for this award because it seems like a popularity award at times. Howard-Bron-Wade are the 3 best defenders? Howard deserves the award...Lebron and Wade are not elite defenders right now. They are great...but Elite...no.
