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David Blatt Makes His Move In The NBA Awards Watch

By Ben Nadeau

Nov 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt claps from the sidelines after scoring in the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt claps from the sidelines after scoring in the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Player of the Year

1, Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs (Last Week: 1, –)

So, it turns out that Kawhi Leonard isn’t just a defensive mastermind, but he’s a chef as well — constantly cooking up new and impressive ways to stuff the stat sheet while shutting his opposition down.

The annual Machine of Death in San Antonio looks like it’s firing on all cylinders as the Spurs are 8-2 over their last 10 and boast an exceptional 89.8 OPP, good for first in the NBA and nearly a full three points better than second-place Miami.

Wowzers.

Leonard’s Line of the Week: 11/27 vs. DEN — 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 5 blocks, 2 TOs, 11-18 FG%
Week Grade: A

2. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors (Last Week: 2, –)

Too small, too big, too whatever-excuse-you-come-up-with, it doesn’t matter because Draymond Green is going to make your life a living hell.

In case you’ve been living under rock for the last month, the Golden State Warriors are 19-0 and Green is averaging 13 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block per game, has notched a triple-double in two of his last three games, and has continued to be the team’s defense identity.

Some may argue that Green is a product of the system — but if that’s the case then this is a damned good system that will probably make the NBA Finals and have a chance to win Defensive Player of the Year so…

Green’s Line of the Week: 11/28 vs. SAC — 13 points 11 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 3 TOs, 4-13 FG%
Week Grade: A

3. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz (Last Week: 3, –)
All things considered, it was a pretty good week for Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz as they grabbed solid wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans before dramatically falling to the Warriors on Monday. Even better, after a few rough weeks, Gobert has returned to the norm, gobbling up rebounds, swatting shots, and protecting that sacred Jazz rim.

Gobert is crucial to Utah’s success, so his hot hand will need to continue if the Jazz want to keep climbing the Western Conference. One of these days, Gordon Hayward is going to go on a tear and the Jazz will rip off a 10-game win streak — but, until then, Gobert will keep blockin’ dem shots.

Gobert’s Line of the Week: 11/28 vs. NOP — 9 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 1 TO, 3-5 FG%
Week Grade: B

Honorable Mentions: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls; Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons; Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat; Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder; DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers; Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers.

Week 1: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Week 2: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Week 3: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Week 4: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Week 5: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Week 6: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Next: Interim What?