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NBA Awards Watch: Week 22

By Jared Brownlee

Mar 30, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a made shot against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a made shot against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defensive Player of the Year

Mar 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) scores over Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the second half at the United Center. Portland won 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) scores over Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the second half at the United Center. Portland won 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Joakim Noah
2. Paul George
3. Anthony Davis

PER STL% BLK% DRtg DWS
Anthony Davis 27.0 2.0 6.7 104 3.1
Paul George 20.3 2.6 0.6 96 6.0
Joakim Noah 20.2 1.9 3.5 96 5.7

DRtg- Defensive Rating, DWS- Defensive Win Shares

Noah ranks seventh in rebounds per game and 11th in blocks per game, and the Bulls have the second-ranked defense.  When the Pacers beat the Heat last week, George’s defense on LeBron James was paramount down the stretch in the one-point win. Davis, the league’s top shot blocker, is one of the games most active defensive players on the inside with his freakish length and leaping ability.