Who's the best defender?

[Supergirl]

So far, who has been the DPOY?

This is a tough one for me to call, as the man who has been robbed of the award for the last 5 years (Bowen) hasn't really logged enough minutes this season. Howard will probably get it, but he's not really a great defender, he just blocks a lot of shots. I'd nominate Manu as one of the best man-to-man defenders, but I'd have to nominate Timmy from the Spurs before I did.

[IronMexican]

This is tough. I'd have to give it to Howard by default.

[monosylab1k]

Devean George

[ManuTP9]

howard

[dirk4mvp]

Howard. When people are scared to drive the paint for the reason you're standing there, you're badass.

[endrity]

It's Howard. While his one on one defense against other good big man isn't shut down type, he has managed to turn a team of guys that never worried about defense into a great defensive team by covering their back.

[Double-Up]

My bad I didn't see DPOY...of course I think it has to goto Dwight.

[Jayem2]

wade

[Cry Havoc]

Howard. When people are scared to drive the paint for the reason you're standing there, you're badass.

So basically the the Spurs since 1999 because of Duncan, yes?

[SpursDynasty]

Dwight Howard and Trevor Ariza are jokes.

[Flo-Rida]

Dwight Howard or you could even make a case for LeBron and Wade.

[sook]

trevor ariza?

More like guys like chalmers, battier, artest

[dirk4mvp]

So basically the the Spurs since 1999 because of Duncan, yes?



Duncan doesn't scare anyone like Dwight does.

[Cry Havoc]

Duncan doesn't scare anyone like Dwight does.

:lmao

What, are we talking streetfights or ability to shut down a driving PG? What kind of NBA do you watch where Duncan isn't a feared defender?

[Bob Lanier]

It's a terrible shame that Duncan will end his career without a DPOY award, but he doesn't deserve one this year; the Spurs are an absolutely terrible defensive team.

I dislike Howard but he's the easy choice.

[Ghazi]

4th in league is absolutely terrible?

[Bob Lanier]

5% worse than the Spurs have been in over a decade, with the exception, tellingly enough, of last season? Terrible. Turrible.

It's like if Dirk Nowitzki turned into Donyell Marshall on offense.

[Ghazi]

yeah, terrible by their lofty standards.

But by league standards they're still solid, although not in the class of BOS, ORL, and CLE

[anakha]

It's Howard. While his one on one defense against other good big man isn't shut down type, he has managed to turn a team of guys that never worried about defense into a great defensive team by covering their back.

In fairness, I would agree with this reasoning.

I don't think Orlando's perimeter defenders are as good collectively as, say, the Spurs, but Howard does a yeoman's job of covering up that deficit.

If Howard wins DPOY this year, I wouldn't be surprised. Disappointed that Duncan didn't get it, but not surprised.

[Tully365]

I'd have to go with Howard at this point. He leads the league in blocks with a really good block-to-foul ratio, and leads the league in defensive rebounds and total rebounds. Also, unlike some of the thinner shot-blockers (Camby, Dalembert, etc.), he has the strength to hold back bigger players in the post. I'd guess that Howard's mere presence dissuades at least a 20 drives to the basket per game.

One of the most underrated guys right now IMO is Chris Andersen, whose extremely smart defensive play probably would surprise most people who think of him as merely a wild man with great hops. But again, his block-to-foul-ratio is very good and his intensity is arguably the greatest in the league. He'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

I'd say the single most underrated defender in the league right now is Jared Jeffries, who guards all five positions for a mediocre Knicks team. When the Knicks upset the Celts a few weeks ago, Jeffries at different points in the game defended Rondo, Pierce, Garnett, and Perkins, and did an outstanding job on all of them. There aren't many guys in the league who could do that-- Artest is about the only other one, and he doesn't have the height or wingspan to stay with 7 footers for very long. I think if Jeffries played for a contender, he could have as much influence as Bowen in his prime, but the Knicks are too limited to have a non-scorer on the court all the time.

[porscha]

Duncan

[Chieflion]

Dwight by default for DPOY. Stupid league.
Duncan still the better overall defender.

[iggypop123]

howard. he is the only inside guy there and he does it all