xRAPM rates him as the best defender on the perimeter (Iguodala coming in second). Top 6 defenders by xRAPM are all in the front-court, though: Garnett, Howard, Duncan, Marc Gasol, Josh Smith, and Omer Asik. For people with ESPN Insider, Haberstroh makes a strong argument for Tim Duncan as the earlier front-runner for DPOY.
The only way I would ever give a DPOY to a perimeter player, is if he's a beast without dominant inside presence. Most times, behind every stud perimeter defender is a stud interior defender. Memphis fits in this category.
the League never gives it to ppl who REALLY deserve it... Just look and Tyson Chandler i hope he gets its.. but i know he wont
It's naturally hard for a perimeter player to have as much of an impact as a post player when it comes to defense. I think it's just as hard to play good perimeter defense in today's NBA without hand checking. I would be happy with Tony Allen winning though. He changes an offensive teams gameplan.
Tony Allen is really good, but the grizzlies as a whole help Tony being that good. Especially, Rudy and Conley playing passing lanes, also Marc and DA and SPIEGHTS cut off paths to the basket with help defense. I don't really know how good the grizzlies defense really is, but what I do know is that it is the best defense in league by a significant margin. Only maybe the bulls have a defense that can contend with the grizzlies d.
Tony Allen deserves consideration. I'd love to have him. LBJ can only win it as a make up for last year when he was snubbed.
TA is having a superb year. I'm sure he'll definitely be in consideration, if not a front-runner when it comes time for the voting.
I think more recently this holds true, but there have been many perimeter players in the last decade whom you could make an argument for. IE; Bruce Bowen, James Posey, Iggy, Battier, Ron Ron, etc. In terms of DPOY, as long as it's not LeBron, Kobe or Dwight i'll be happy.
If the DPOY award wasn't handed out based on silly league politics and marketability, then Tony Allen would win this year. And last year.
Artest got his award, but I still can't believe we live in a world where Iggy, Bowen, and even Tim Duncan never got theirs. The award is a bit of a joke, to be honest. No credibility based on past winners.
If anyone needs an example of why perimeter defensive studs almost never get DPOY, I present you the 2004-2005 Houston Rockets. FOURTH in the NBA on defense. Yao Ming Juwan Howard Bob Sura David Wesley T-Mac Mutumbo Mo Taylor Clarence Weatherspoon Charlie Ward There's a reason why bigs with average to little offense like Dwight Howard, Andrew Bogut, Greg Oden, etc. becomes #1 picks, while Tony Allens, Bruce Bowens, Ron Artests of the world never even sniff lottery status. Something that scouts, coaches, GMs, stat geeks are all in agreement on.
