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NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Defensive Player Of The Year Award In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

November 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots the basketball against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots the basketball against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) blocks Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kawhi Leonard

In terms of pure defensive talent and versatility, the Defensive Player of the Year Award should probably just be a one-on-one competition between Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green for the next 2-3 years. That’s basically what it’s been for the last two years, after all.

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As quite possibly the best on-ball defender in the league, Leonard’s long arms, baseball mitt hands and high basketball IQ make him the closest thing to Scottie Pippen this league has seen. Between that and his nights shutting down the likes of Kevin Durant, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, t’s no wonder he’s the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

As the most intimidating defender on a historically great San Antonio Spurs defense, Leonard going back-to-back was hard to argue. Though Green probably should’ve won in 2014-15 (he had more first place votes), Kawhi leading a defense that only gave up a league-best 96.6 points per 100 possessions in 2015-16 was truly remarkable.

Voter fatigue may limit his reign to two years, especially since the Spurs may have taken a step back on the defensive end with the arrival of Pau Gasol and the departures of Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw. Still, you can never count out the Claw.