The 2014-15 season has drawn to a close and now it’s time to reflect. As we all get excited and prepared for the 2015 NBA Playoffs, we also want to take the time and recognize the best of the best from this season. Although we might not have an official vote for any of these NBA awards, we still have to put our picks in here somewhere.
So check out the 2015 NBA Awards and let us know what you think!
We’ve gone over the Coach of the Year, the Most Improved Player and 6th man of the year NBA awards but now it’s time for the toughest of the NBA awards, the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Nominees:
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Cameron
Winner: Draymond Green
Green has been the centerpiece to the best defensive team in the league. On top of that he’s arguably the best defender in the game being able to hold his own against positions 1-4 on the court and a handful of centers. As they say defense turns into offense and the Warriors are on of the best in that category, his plus-minus score even agrees with a +5. Even when Andrew Bogut was out earlier in the season, Green kept them on top.
Martin
Winner: Draymond Green
Green truly deserves this kind of recognition for what he was able to do for the Warriors on the defensive side of the ball this season. What made him more effective and useful on the offensive end in turn became his advantage defensively. His smaller frame allowed him to use his quickness on opposing forwards, but most importantly, Draymond Green made it his job to master tendencies. He learned the post moves of his assignments, making it even easier for him to force difficult shots. The Warriors being the most efficient defensive team this season is much attributed to Green’s commitment and versatility as a defender.
Max
Winner: Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis has played great defense all season long. He has carried his team and received MVP consideration. Anthony Davis has been thought so highly of in large part due to his defense. Davis holds down the paint very well for the Pelicans and makes it hard for any player to score in there. Davis has averaged the most blocks per game in the league at 2.9 per game. Any player that records almost three blocks a game deserves this award, so I feel that AD should win this NBA award.
Kyle
Winner: Anthony Davis
A shot blocking machine, the brow averages just about three blocks a game and about two steals. Put it this way, Anthony Davis is like a great goalie in hockey or soccer when it comes to protecting the rim, very few shots get passed him. It’s very hard to get a shot over him and one of the most feared shot blockers in the league.
Es
Winner: DeAndre Jordan
Nothing much has changed for DeAndre Jordan, he could have won DPOY last year too. He consistently is the best defender on the Clippers and is essentially the anchor for the Clippers. He is constantly mentioned as a dominant shot blocker like Bill Russell. He even had to pick up when Blake Griffin missed extended time with elbow injuries.
Rob
Winner: Draymond Green
Draymond Green might not block all the shots, he might not get all the steals. He’s also not the tallest, he’s not the strongest, he’s not the most athletics and he’s not the fastest but he is tough. Defensive rating stats are skewed to a weird measure, so I can’t equate his value to this team based off stats. What you can do is measure how effective his team is on defense when he’s on the court. The Warriors +/- is through the roof as a team with Green on the court and he changes what some teams do. He can guard 1-5 and do it effectively. He’ll annoy you, get in your pocket and he’ll run down the court telling you how much you suck in the process. Green’s intensity and skill make a deadly combo that will be sure to warrant a max contract this offseason and one of the NBA awards as well.
David
Winner: Draymond Green
Draymond Green has had a breakout season on both ends of the floor this season, but he’s been truly incredible defensively. The Warriors are the best defensive team in the league, and Draymond is their defensive catalyst. Green has the 4th best defensive rating in the league and the second most defensive win shares. He’s also top-5 in defensive box plus/minus. Green deserves to win one of these NBA awards and it definitely should be this one.
Stephen
Winner: DeAndre Jordan
Man, last season we thought Jordan made strides, but this year he took it a step further (no pun intended) with 11 points per game 15 rebounds and 2 blocks. Jordan filled in while star Power Forward Blake Griffin dealt with an injury and without him the Clippers are not at the 3rd seed. The defensive anchor was snubbed from The All-Star game, but he will not be snubbed from all of the NBA awards, he deserves the DPOY.
