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NBA Awards Watch: Week 21

By Jared Brownlee

Mar 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Thunder beat the Raptors 119-118 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Thunder beat the Raptors 119-118 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defensive Player of the Year

Mar 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts in their game against the Sacramento Kings at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts in their game against the Sacramento Kings at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Joakim Noah

2. Paul George

3. Anthony Davis

TRB% STL% BLK% DRtg DWS
Anthony Davis 16.7 2.0 6.6 104 2.9
Paul George 10.3 2.5 0.6 96 5.6
Joakim Noah 18.3 1.8 3.5 96 5.4

It’s hard to measure a player like Noah, whose effort, energy and intensity can’t be configured into the analytics, but the Bulls are the top defensive team in the league with him leading the way. George is one of the few wing players who are ranked in the top 10 for defensive rating (DRtg) and defensive win shares (DWS). Davis’ length and athleticism are two of the reasons why he leads the league in blocks.