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

7. Kevin Durant

Playing alongside the reigning Defensive Player of the Year doesn’t help his case, but Kevin Durant played at an All-Defensive team level last season. Not only did he lead the Golden State Warriors in rebounds (8.3 per game) and blocks (1.6 per game), but his positional versatility allowed the Dubs to unleash their most devastating version of the Death Lineup yet.

It shouldn’t be surprising for a player as long and as tall as KD to swarm opponents with length, but over the last year or two, he’s made the leap from above-average defender into the elite category. From rim protection to switching onto ball-handlers in the pick-and-roll, Durant can do it all.

Unfortunately, as long as he’s the second-best defender on his team, he probably won’t push much higher than this for Defensive Player of the Year consideration.