NBA: Top 10 candidates for 2017-18 Defensive Player of the Year

As the 2017-18 NBA season approaches, here’s a look at the top 10 candidates for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year Award.

As the most one-sided award the NBA has to offer, the Defensive Player of the Year Award cares not for points or assists. It cares not for shooting percentages, years of experience or whether you’re a starter. With only one end of the floor to care about, it seems like one of the easiest awards to figure out.

However, that’s not always the case, especially since the defensive end of the floor is the one casual observers care the least about. In looking at the history of the DPOY Award, it’s pretty clear that shot-blocking big men are the overwhelming favorites to win, sometimes simply as a default choice between aggressive swats out of bounds are the most noticeable defensive impact.

Since the inception of the award in 1982-83, it has only gone to a guard six times (Sidney Moncrief twice, Alvin Robertson, Michael Cooper, Michael Jordan and Gary Payton). The last time that happened was in 1995-96. Since then, the category has been dominated by centers, until the most recent three-year trend of versatile forwards taking over.

Heading into 2017-18, there are several rangy wings and a couple of dominant shot-blockers who could lay claim to the Defensive Player of the Year trophy. Here’s a look at the top 10 candidates for the award.

Honorable Mentions:  Klay Thompson, P.J. Tucker, Avery Bradley, DeAndre Jordan, Patrick Beverley, Jae Crowder, Tony Allen, Danny Green