Brooklyn Nets: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards

Defensive Player of the Year: Jarrett Allen

Allen has been working this summer on adding range to his jump shot, but what primarily got the second-year center to the league is his potential as a game-changing defender and rebounder.

As a rookie, Allen’s numbers in those categories were modest — averaging 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks — but he only played 20 minutes per game in a reserve role.

In his second pro game he blocked four shots. Over the last month of the season, Allen had seven games with three or more blocks, including a season-high five rejections in an April 5 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He also produced double-figure rebounding games against some of the league’s best glass-eating centers, from Andre Drummond to Joel Embiid to Steven Adams.

Allen’s stats per 36 minutes were more fitting of a DPOY candidate, however, with an impressive 9.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. This season, Allen is penciled in as Brooklyn’s starting center.

What could hurt Allen’s DPOY campaign even if he is putting up the numbers is Brooklyn’s team defense. Last season, the Nets ranked 28th out of 30 teams in points allowed, and 22nd in Defensive Rating. Allen can block a lot of shots and get a lot of rebounds, but if it doesn’t lead to a significant improvement in Brooklyn’s team defense, it won’t impress the voters.

Odds: Not likely, even with a big improvement in production