Dpoy?

[Pistons < Spurs]

Ben or Bowen??

There are no other candidates IMO.

I said a couple of weeks ago that I'd give it to Bowen. I figure he needs to get it at least once, and to be honest, if you look at Ben's stats, it was a down year for him.

I believe he does rank in the top 10 though in rebounding, steals and blocks.

Reggie,Charles and Kenny are going through their selections tonight, and all 3 of them chose Ben.

Honestly I was a little suprised.

But then again, what Bowen does doesn't show up on a stat sheet. Plus perimeter defenders don't typically win. (Artest is the only one that comes to mind)

Your thoughts?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I hope Bowen gets it, he has been sensational but I hope his bad image because of other pussies like ray allen, VC of the like dont tarnish his chances of winning it for the first time. Kirlenko is an AMAZING defender but too bad he was injured a lot this year

[spurs=bling]

Bruce

[Leetonidas]

I just saw that and I was shocked. Bruce should get it already. He's such a great defender and needs to get some respect. Ben's gotten it like 4 times already, and plus Bowen needs to rub it in Ray's face. :lol

[ShoogarBear]

I think it would be a traveshamockery if Bowen doesn't win it at least once.

You argue back and forth between them every year. The difference between their value isn't so great that the count should be 4-0 Ben in DPOYs.

[Darrin]

Ben's won the award 3 times

2001-02: He became the 4th player ever to lead the league in rebounds and block shots.
2002-03: He averaged the most rebounds (15.4) since Dennis Rodman
2004-05: Became Pistons All-Time leader in blocked shots.

Wallace's numbers: 7.3 points, 11.6 rebounds (4th overall), 2.21 blocks (8th overall), 2.0 assists, and 1.79 steals (9th overall). He's playing his lowest minutes (35.7 MPG) since the 2000-01 season (34.5 MPG).

I'll say again: If he wasn't for the fact he has won it 3 times in 4 years, those numbers on the best team in the league would make him a hands-down winner. My vote goes to Bowen for his lifetime achievement.

[Pistons < Spurs]

I really think Bruce gets burned because what he does doesn't carry stats.

You will never say he had 22 rebounds and 6 blocks.

But you can say he denied Kobe the ball 16 times, made him take a poor shot 12 times, got into Ray's head at the crucial moment when the game was on the line...etc etc

Unfortunatly for him, those things just don't get tallied up.

Without the stats, people who may not watch the Spurs for the whole 82 games never truly appreciate what it is that he does on a nightly basis against the best players on most teams.

I have a bad feeling that Bruce will be dissapointed once again.

[Kori Ellis]

I think Bruce will win hands down.

[Melmart1]

This is Bruce's year.

[Spurologist]

No fucking respect for Bowen. TNT should have showed some more respect for him. Bowen's chances aren't looking good right now.

[DDS4]

This is Bruce's year.

I have a feeling if Bruce doesn't win it this year, he never will.

[Melmart1]

I have a feeling if Bruce doesn't win it this year, he never will.

I actually thought that last year, cus I thought he might lose a step the older he got, too. But that didn't happen, cus he is the man. I swear, I become more of a fan of his everyday.

[Spurologist]

I have a feeling if Bruce doesn't win it this year, he never will.

correctomundo. The writers don't get it.

[Leetonidas]

Not only is he a good defender, but he's clutch. He always seems to hit the three when needed.

[Winnipeg_Spur]

The Spurs coaching staff needs to make up some bullshit stats about Bowen like Rick Carlisle did with Artest they year he won. Something like the guys Bowen guards shoot 15% worse from the field and score 7 points per game less than usual...

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Wallace will win it again.

[DDS4]

I actually thought that last year, cus I thought he might lose a step the older he got, too. But that didn't happen, cus he is the man. I swear, I become more of a fan of his everyday.

That's the thing. Bruce's stock as DPOY couldn't be higher yet Ben has a slightly "down" year statistically.

If Ben wins it again, then it's already ingrained in the minds of writers/media.

[___ are Killing the Mavs!]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/SCLlama/bigben8922ee.jpg

[ChumpDumper]

Wallace is the lazy choice - and alot of these writers are lazy when it comes to this stuff.

[Spurologist]

The Spurs coaching staff needs to make up some bullshit stats about Bowen like Rick Carlisle did with Artest they year he won. Something like the guys Bowen guards shoot 15% worse from the field and score 7 points per game less than usual...

it will be interesting to know those stats

[ChumpDumper]

___ are Killing the Mavs!
Lottery Pick

Position: Streaky Guard
Team: San Antonio Spurs
vBookie Cash: $500
Post Count: 1


Just couldn't stay away, could you?

[Obstructed_View]

Bowen will never win it. If people believe Wallace refused to go into the game on purpose to spark the team, there's no way Bowen has a chance. I'd rather have Bowen pissed going into the postseason anyway. Maybe he'll finish third to Wallace and Artest.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Wallace is the lazy choice - and alot of these writers are lazy when it comes to this stuff.


That's why Wallace will win it. Some just look at numbers, some actually know what the fuck they're doing and some just vote for the best known guy...

We analyze every detail of all these stats and most of these guys could give a shit less.

[ShoogarBear]

Just as point of information, before the sportswriters got lazy and just started voting for shotblockers, there were lots of wins by perimeter players:

Sidney Moncrief, 1983 and 1984
Alvin Robertson, 1986
Michael Cooper, 1987
Michael Jordan, 1988
Gary Payton, 1996
Ron Artest, 2004

[Kori Ellis]

___ are Killing the Mavs!
Lottery Pick

Position: Streaky Guard
Team: San Antonio Spurs
vBookie Cash: $500
Post Count: 1


Just couldn't stay away, could you?

What's that about?

[Pistons < Spurs]

What's that about?
http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38447

[Kori Ellis]

I've talked to several writers around the country who are voting for Bruce. We'll see.

[___ are Killing the Mavs!]

___ are Killing the Mavs!
Lottery Pick

Position: Streaky Guard
Team: San Antonio Spurs
vBookie Cash: $500
Post Count: 1


Just couldn't stay away, could you?


:spin I was actually signing off for the day when I saw that I got 24-hour banned. Luckily, I have a better sense of humor than certain Mods around here, so I won't get all pissy about it. But apparantly you aren't allowed to joke around on SpursTalk. You know, in the "knock on wood, cleanse your soul of unholy spirits, anti-jinx" thread. :lol

[ChumpDumper]

What's that about?All I did was verify and laugh.

I am a bit surprised I have yet to go mad with power yet....

[Sense]

Bowen faces the best players night after night and he's incredible with them...


Ben gets to face very few players with good offensive skills....


Bowen deserves it WAY more than Ben this year IMO.

[Kori Ellis]

I'll unban you.

[ShoogarBear]

All I did was verify and laugh.

I am a bit surprised I have yet to go mad with power yet....
When you already have the gone mad part, the with power bit doesn't really add much extra.

[Obstructed_View]

Bowen faces the best players night after night and he's incredible with them...


Ben gets to face very few players with good offensive skills....


Bowen deserves it WAY more than Ben this year IMO.
It doesn't matter. When people start saying Wallace is the heart and soul of the team, it's all over.

[ChumpDumper]

I'll unban you.I should have done so earlier - wasting time in other threads.

[___ are Killing the Mavs!]

Bowen faces the best players night after night and he's incredible with them...


Ben gets to face very few players with good offensive skills....


Bowen deserves it WAY more than Ben this year IMO.

If you are just taking into account the individual that Ben matches up with on defense, then you are missing the entire reason why he is who he is. He is a great defender because he seemingly guards every player on the court. He is a one-man full court press. He can switch out on virtually any player, and guard them effectively (the ultimate pick and roll big man). He knows when to help and when to stay home. When to go for a block, and when to just alter the shot. He does all of this stuff, yet he's one of the only big men in the game that doesn't get into foul trouble every other night. And he is a terror in the passing lanes. That doesn't even bring rebounding into the picture.

The player with the greatest impact against one player: Bowen
The player with the greatest impact against the entire team: Wallace

Just my take on it...

[Kori Ellis]

I should have done so earlier - wasting time in other threads.

It's okay, I undid it.

The forum is more juvenile tonight than I've seen it in a while.

Did y'all notice TimmyD is back and that the Spurs have 60 wins with 3 left?

[Winnipeg_Spur]

it will be interesting to know those stats
Yeah it would be quite interesting to see, but it would be a bitch to measure and somehow I don't think that's the kind of thing Pop concerns himself with.

Incidently, I looked up what the Artest stats and they're even more BS than I thought:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1784876


Carlisle said Artest held opponents to 9.4 shots and 8.1 points a game when he was matched up one-on-one.
WTF does that even mean? :huh

[Kori Ellis]

WTF does that even mean? :huh

It means Carlisle made himself a laughing stock by conjuring up those stats and distributing them around the league.

[T Park]

Did y'all notice TimmyD is back and that the Spurs have 60 wins with 3 left?

I noticed that, when the team has all its players together, and healthy, they can beat anyone.


Tim D is back.

Shame it was wasted in a meaningless loss that wont mean much in the playoffs.

[FreshPrince22]

It's okay, I undid it.



:worthy:

[ShoogarBear]

It means Carlisle made himself a laughing stock by conjuring up those stats and distributing them around the league.
Um, except it worked.

[anthologyct]

" . . . what Bowen does doesn't show up on a stat sheet.

I'm biased of course, but what Ben does night in and night out shows up on the stat sheet. And he, like Bowen as well does things that don't show up.

Ben Wallace is the anchor of the Detroit Defense .............. he is the alpha & omega defensive options for the Pistons.

All the little things that he does that don't show up on the stat sheet ........... trapping smalls, (Steve Nash), shuttin' down bigs, (Dirk Nowitzki), guarding Shaq mano-a-mano in the low post, ball denial before it even gets to the post, weak side shot blocking, rebounding, and he's the last line of defense to protect the bucket.

All of these things he does at a listed height of 6'9". But in reality, he's only 6'7".

[Kori Ellis]

:worthy:

I can't really control what happens here when I'm at the game. But I usually try to be fair when I come home. :)

[Kori Ellis]

Um, except it worked.

I don't think people voted for him because of the stat sheet. They were probably going to vote for him anyway.

[ShoogarBear]

All of these things he does at a listed height of 6'9". But in reality, he's only 6'7".



Well, Bowen is actually only 5'11". And has terrible scoliosis.

[Kori Ellis]

All of these things he does at a listed height of 6'9". But in reality, he's only 6'7".

If that.

I remember when I stood next to him at the All-Star game in 2004, I was shocked at how not-so tall he was.

[Winnipeg_Spur]

It means Carlisle made himself a laughing stock by conjuring up those stats and distributing them around the league.
:lol True. Too bad winning DPOY didn't help Artest guard Rip in the playoffs that year...

[Kori Ellis]

:lol True. Too bad winning DPOY didn't help Artest guard Rip in the playoffs that year...

He did manage to clothesline Rip in the throat though during that series (wasn't it Rip?)

[anthologyct]

It doesn't matter. When people start saying Wallace is the heart and soul of the team, it's all over.


If you are just taking into account the individual that Ben matches up with on defense, then you are missing the entire reason why he is who he is. He is a great defender because he seemingly guards every player on the court. He is a one-man full court press. He can switch out on virtually any player, and guard them effectively (the ultimate pick and roll big man). He knows when to help and when to stay home. When to go for a block, and when to just alter the shot. He does all of this stuff, yet he's one of the only big men in the game that doesn't get into foul trouble every other night. And he is a terror in the passing lanes. That doesn't even bring rebounding into the picture.

The player with the greatest impact against one player: Bowen
The player with the greatest impact against the entire team: Wallace

Just my take on it...



Sense & ___ are Killing the Mavs!,

Very well said fellas!

[FreshPrince22]

Here's another thing I'll say...

If Bruce Bowen wasn't on the Spurs, they'd still be a great defensive team. Timmy is the anchor, and with Pop, it's a great defensive system.

If Ben Wallace wasn't on the Pistons, they'd be a below average defensive team. Ben Wallace is the defensive system.

this pretty much proves it: http://www.82games.com/0506/05DET16D.HTM

With Ben on the floor, they are a top 2 defensive team. With Ben off the floor, they play about as much D as the Sonics.

[ChumpDumper]

If Bruce Bowen wasn't on the Spurs, they'd still be a great defensive team. Timmy is the anchor, and Pop most importantly it's a great defensive system.Since he rarely misses games, it's harder to judge his impact - you'd be surprised at the Spurs' record without him.

[Kori Ellis]

If Bruce Bowen wasn't on the Spurs, they'd still be a great defensive team. Timmy is the anchor, and Pop most importantly it's a great defensive system.

People say that all the time. I don't know if it's true. I don't think they'd be great defensively without Bruce. And I don't want to find out.

[FreshPrince22]

People say that all the time. I don't know if it's true. I don't think they'd be great defensively without Bruce. And I don't want to find out.

Yea, I hear ya. I think Bowen could have arguably been the Finals MVP last year. He took pretty much whoever he was on out of the game entirely. But I still think they have a good enough system to still be a great defensive team without Bruce.

BTW, I just noticed this: http://www.82games.com/0506/05SAS9D.HTM

Would there be any explanation for that? It says the Spurs D is actually worse when Bruce is on the floor. Every other year with the spurs it has been the other way around. :huh

[ChumpDumper]

Would there be any explanation for that? It says the Spurs D is actually worse when Bruce is on the floor.Example: when the Spurs play the Lakers, Bowen is only on the floor when Kobe is.

But yes, it's also a reflection of Tim's diminished mobility this season.

[Winnipeg_Spur]

He did manage to clothesline Rip in the throat though during that series (wasn't it Rip?)
I think it was... all I remember is Ron taking a flagrant on Hamilton late in the last game of the series. Even after a great year this guy still managed to hurt his team by losing control at the absolute worst time. :bang

[Kori Ellis]

Would there be any explanation for that? It says the Spurs D is actually worse when Bruce is on the floor. Every other year with the spurs it has been the other way around.


Also Bowen is usually the starter that stays in the game with the scrubs when the game is already decided. That's probably a big part of it.

[Kori Ellis]

I think it was... all I remember is Ron taking a flagrant on Hamilton late in the last game of the series. Even after a great year this guy still managed to hurt his team by losing control at the absolute worst time. :bang

Yeah, I think I remember that Rip was repeatedly blowing by him, so Artest just clotheslined him in the throat. (But maybe my memory is cloudy).

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

No, you're right. I think Rip gave him a forearm to the balls if I remember correctly...

[FreshPrince22]

Example: when the Spurs play the Lakers, Bowen is only on the floor when Kobe is.



ahh, that's true. I guess now, Pop brings in Finley or Barry or whoever when the stars go to the bench. Makes sense.

Still, Ben's numbers don't lie...

Defense: Pts per 100 Poss.
On Court: 101.2
Off Court: 110.4
Differential: -9.3

That is a HUGE difference. Close enough to the best defensive team in the league when he's on the floor and worst when he's off. If it weren't for Seattle being statistically the worst defensive team in the history it would be real close.

[cs100]

I certainly hope Artest doesn't commit any flagrants against the Spurs (thinking about Manu) during the first round. I know he will eventually flip out again, I just hope it is not with our team.

Bruce deserves this award this year. You guys are right that Ben is the lazy choice. His numbers are actually lower this year than last year. His team is no longer in the top 10 in opponent FG% this year (Spurs are #3).

Bruce always has to guard the top player in every team, including the big guys, like dirk. Ben normally stays on the low post so he can bar entrance or grab rebounds.

Yes, Bruce deserves it. I hope he gets it. But some writers will vote based on history, reputation, hype and visability.

[Nbadan]

I have a feeling that Wallace is gonna win the DOP and Ron Artest will come in second.

[Darrin]

I really think Bruce gets burned because what he does doesn't carry stats.

You will never say he had 22 rebounds and 6 blocks.

But you can say he denied Kobe the ball 16 times, made him take a poor shot 12 times, got into Ray's head at the crucial moment when the game was on the line...etc etc

Unfortunatly for him, those things just don't get tallied up.

Without the stats, people who may not watch the Spurs for the whole 82 games never truly appreciate what it is that he does on a nightly basis against the best players on most teams.

I have a bad feeling that Bruce will be dissapointed once again.

The amount of unquantifable things in Ben Wallace's game is just as high. For instance, how many shots does Wallace change? How much room does he create for Rip on an open shot? How many times does he pressure the ball in backcourt, pick up a guard on the perimeter, deny a cutter from entering the lane, seal off defenders in transition to create greater numbers for the Pistons? Is there a way to quantify how he shows hard on a pick-and-pop and is able to find his man before the guard coming off the screen has enough time to find him?

I'm not discrediting Bowen, he's got my vote. I've never seen someone give Rip more trouble or create more havoc by his mere presence on the perimeter. But don't get lost in the Ben Wallace numbers; he is just as dominant in areas we have yet to quantify in basketball.

[Darrin]

No, you're right. I think Rip gave him a forearm to the balls if I remember correctly...

They were arm-locked and just like Reggie, he started pushing off on Artest to create momentum to break free. He missed all of Artest's arms and chest and ended up hitting him in the balls. Artest didn't grimmace in pain for fall to the ground. He followed Rip into the paint (this happened in the left corner) and then put a forearm into Rip's nose.

The entire incident caused the Pistons to go on a 10-4 run to end the game, or something like that. Rip had to be restrained by his teammates because he was talking so much junk. Let's remember this is an intentional hit to a portion of Rip's body that had been broken 3 times in one season. The initial hit doesn't look intentional, but we can never know what a man in thinking.

I was pissed that the entire thing was left out of the Championship video. Rip was on the ground for a good 3-4 minutes. It sparked an offensive resurgence in a rattled team, and was motivation for the Pistons to end the series that night. It was rather important, as important as Tayshaun's block. That's when I was reminded that the NBA tends to protect its talents.

[slayermin]

I hope Bruce wins it but it will be tough to overcome the great season Ben had this year. I took a double take at Wallace's stat line.

[polandprzem]

No contest. There is nobody else. Bowenn will take the award.
What he did his year was awesome and I do not see Kirilenko or Wallace take the award.
I can even bet on that one.


ps. Am I in the concept of this thread?

[TOP_MODEL_M]

Bruce deserves it! However, I don't think he's the kinda guy who'd care too much whether he gets it or not.He's priceless for us, he plays every game and locks down the best perimeter player of any team we play, so we know and appreciate him. And he knows all spurs fans do.I'm sure that's much more important for him.

He's also a great team player.We play, win and lose as a team, and that's a concept known to spurs and pistons fans only. So I don't care about what others think.

WE KNOW!

[samikeyp]

I want Bruce to win but if Ben won, I would be cool with that.

[Pistons < Spurs]

The amount of unquantifable things in Ben Wallace's game is just as high. For instance, how many shots does Wallace change? How much room does he create for Rip on an open shot? How many times does he pressure the ball in backcourt, pick up a guard on the perimeter, deny a cutter from entering the lane, seal off defenders in transition to create greater numbers for the Pistons? Is there a way to quantify how he shows hard on a pick-and-pop and is able to find his man before the guard coming off the screen has enough time to find him?

I'm not discrediting Bowen, he's got my vote. I've never seen someone give Rip more trouble or create more havoc by his mere presence on the perimeter. But don't get lost in the Ben Wallace numbers; he is just as dominant in areas we have yet to quantify in basketball.


I absolutely agree. Stats will never truly indicate all the work Ben does for us...........BUT....some of his work does equate into trackable stats, whereas NOTHING that Bowen does shows up on a boxscore.




I think another aspect is that if Ben has a big block, or a large rebound night, it shows up on ESPN as part of the high light reel. While very little if anything of Bowens performance is shown as it's not as flashy as a block party, or a 20 rebound performance.

[JamStone]

I would vote for Bruce Bowen.

But, I don't agree with the notion that Bruce should win the DPOY because he hasn't won it in the past. If Bruce wins the award, he should win because of what he's done this season, and this season alone. I don't buy the argument that what Bruce does is as important as what Ben does so Ben shouldn't have 3 more DPOY awards. That's all irrational thinking. The DPOY award should be given to the player who was the best defender during the course of the regular season.

Ben simply has not been as good a defender as he has been in the past. But, that does not mean he isn't the best defender in the league still. Even with down stats, Ben is arguably the most important and best defender in the league. Just like you can't give the award to Bruce because he's been snubbed in past years, you can't not give it to Ben because his stats aren't as good as his stats in other seasons. You compare with the rest of the league, not with the player's previous seasons.

I think Bruce has done more defensively to help his team win this year. That's why my vote would go to him. Not because he should have won it another season or because Ben already has three of them.


NOTE: If you look at stats to support an argument for DPOY, Shawn Marion has had a pretty impressive defensive season.

Shawn Marion

11.9 rpg (#3 in the league)
8.8 defensive rpg (#4 in the league)
1.99 spg (#5 in the league)
1.71 bpg (#17 in the league)

Take into account he's been playing power forward all season long at his size, and those numbers are even more impressive. The problem is that his team does not play very good team defense and all of his numbers are bloated because of the extra possessions the uptempo style of Phoenix has.

But, if there were a darkhorse candidate for DPOY, it might be Marion. Funny, because he could be considered a darkhorse candidate for MVP as well.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Ben is going to get it mark it down.

[themvp]

Bruce abosolutely.

[SenorSpur]

While Ben's value to the Detroit defensive philosophy and his greatness as defensive player are well-chronicled, I think people ignore, take for granted or simply don't realize how difficult and yet significant Bruce's contributions are to the Spurs success.

He ALWAYS takes the opposition's best scorer. Running through picks, fighting through double screens, keeping his hands visible, playing the weak side of the court in a zone setup, rebounding, contesting every single shot that goes up, blocking out and working to gain defensive position against bigger opponents. Let's also not forget all the hours of film study he puts in on each opponent he faces.

As such, I think Bruce's defensive responsibilities are quite a bit more difficult than that of a player who primarily defends the rim (a la Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning or a Ben Wallace) or a player that plays the passing lanes well (Gerald Wallace, Larry Hughes, Allen Iverson). He is a rare lockdown defender in every sense of the word.

As most people know, it's very tough to quantify what Bruce does in sheer statistics. Yet, he sometimes does have key critical moments that are noteworthy. Remember that stellar block on Chauncey Billups', last-second, 3-pt attempt in Game 7 of the NBA finals that basically sealed the game? How about his shutting down Dirk during the Spurs/Mavs regular season meeting back in March.

Furthermore, the dude never gets injured, never misses a game and has evolved from an offensive liability to a deadly 3-point shooter, with a decent midrange game.

Along with Artest, Wallace and perhaps Raja Bell, I doubt there's anyone in the league that puts in as much pride and effort toward playing defense. As much as Tim Duncan is the anchor of the Spurs defense, Bruce is certainly the engine that make the machine go.

He gets my overwhelming nod for DPOY.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Along with Artest, Wallace and perhaps Raja Bell, I doubt there's anyone in the league that puts in as much pride and effort toward playing defense.

heard of a guy named Camby?
:fro

cant leave him out of that group of guys.......he prides himself on D and it is one of the reasons he leads the league in blocked shots

[ChumpDumper]

I can leave him out if he misses a full quarter of the season.

[SenorSpur]

heard of a guy named Camby?
:fro

cant leave him out of that group of guys.......he prides himself on D and it is one of the reasons he leads the league in blocked shots

No doubt. He's a wonderful player. Big defensive presence at and near the rim. He just stays hurt too much to seriously garner "strong" consideration for DPOY. I don't believe he's ever played a full season - similar to another former Nugget - Robert "Ice" Pack.

[JamStone]

heard of a guy named Camby?
:fro

cant leave him out of that group of guys.......he prides himself on D and it is one of the reasons he leads the league in blocked shots


You can leave him out of that group of guys because he's missed 25 games this season. Regular season awards generally won't be given to players who only play in 2/3 of the season.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

yeh i didnt mention him for DPOY......i was just adding to that post who mentioned 'bowen, artest, wallace and bell' as guys who play D with pride........i meant Camby belongs in that group

[SenorSpur]

yeh i didnt mention him for DPOY......i was just adding to that post who mentioned 'bowen, artest, wallace and bell' as guys who play D with pride........i meant Camby belongs in that group

Agree. Earlier this season, he was blocking shots at a ridiculous rate. I believe he was averaging damn near 4 block per. Not sure where he is now.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Agree. Earlier this season, he was blocking shots at a ridiculous rate. I believe he was averaging damn near 4 block per. Not sure where he is now.


he is still at 3.3 bpg but it has dropped from earlier on in the season

He did have an 8 block game last week and in March he averaged 4.2 bpg

[E20]

Ron Artest of Ben Wallace.

[Chris]

Wow, for Bruce to win that award would be just huge and such an honor for him. He's such a classy knowledgeable guy who actively participates in the community and a phenomenal athlete. Plus, to get signed undrafted and accomplish what he has, absolutely astounding. Bruce deserves this award more than any other player in the NBA. Ask Kobe what he thinks of Bruce.