Indiana Pacers: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards
By Owen Nelson
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Oladipo
According to ESPN Real Plus-Minus, Victor Oladipo was the second-best defender among shooting guards last season, behind only Andre Roberson. Dipo had an impressive Real Defensive Plus-Minus of 3.17.
The Pacers’ star man has all the tools to be one of the best defenders in the league, and he is on his way to becoming that. Oladipo possesses the instincts needed to be a great defender. Instincts are as important as anything; it’s why Oladipo is up there with Kawhi Leonard and Robert Covington in terms of best perimeter defenders. To back this up, Oladipo led the NBA in steals with 2.4 per game last season.
Furthermore, Oladipo’s 6’8″ wingspan allows him to smother fellow shooting guards like a blanket. The large wingspan and absurd athleticism make it extremely hard to get past the former Indiana Hoosier.
The odds, however, don’t appear to be in Oladipo’s favor. Guards rarely win the Defensive Player of the Year award. The last guard to win the award was Gary Payton of the Seattle SuperSonics in 1996.