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2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 10 Defensive Player Of The Year Candidates

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 10, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) passes the ball out against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) passes the ball out against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defensive Player Of The Year
Apr 5, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) fight for the rebound during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Tony Allen

It’s too bad the Memphis Grizzlies might be missing Tony Allen for their first round playoff series against the Spurs, but even at age 35, the “Grindfather” continues to do what he does best.

Averaging 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, Allen is hardly known for his offensive contributions. But the reason he continues to find minutes for the NBA’s seventh-ranked defense is his positional versatility and eternally suffocating defense.

https://twitter.com/theshrillest/status/846899563801657344

Allen remains the Grizzlies’ designated defensive stopper, and Mr. “FIRST TEAM ALL-DEFENSE” should at least earn Second Team honors this season.

Most people enjoy his unpredictable fast breaks and the hectic side effects that arise in a playoff series when defenses give him all the room in the world to shoot, but Tony Allen remains in the NBA because of his incredible defensive ability.