Lebron for defensive player of the year!

[ztilzer31]

So I know Lebron already has a handful of MVP's, and it's more championships he needs to improve his legacy, but I think it's a crime he has yet to win defensive player of the year.

Just in his ability to create a mismatch for opposing offenses for just about any player on the other team. Especially in this day and age where there aren't many team with offensive minded centers. Look at OKC. Lebron can literally guard anyone on that team, at any time, and it'll be a mismatch for the other team (KD is going to score when he's on fire no matter what, but LBJ has proven he can definitely make things hard for Kevin IMO).

I just think it'll be a crime if he doesn't win at least one in his career. Sure he never leads the league in blocks or steals, but those stats don't do justice to how valuable he is defensively.

What do you think? Should LBJ be a big consideration for Defensive Player of the Year?

[stawka]

Definitely, but its so hard for a wing to win it IMO. Not to mention, he isn't a "specialist" because he's so great on both ends of the floor. Hopefully he does take home at least one though, but he's definitely a serious candidate

[kdspurman]

Won't happen. MVP is his, but he won't get this. He'll probably get some consideration though

[TornadoOfSouls]

Yes, we should award Lebron the DPOY despite the fact that his team isn't even a top ten defensive team this year. Stupid topic. IMO, the DPOY should go to someone from any of the top 3 defensive teams this year:

Pacers - Hibbert
Grizzlies - Gasol
Spurs - Duncan

[haggis]

Larry Sanders should win DPOY, but he won't.

[Collings94]

The Heat are not even a top 10 defensive team, and Lebron gets a lot of leniency from the officials. There was a span of 5 games over two weeks that LBJ wasn't called for a SINGLE FOUL. Call me old school, but I just don't think you can play overall great defense if you don't commit any fouls.

LBJ shouldn't be denied DPOY because he will win MVP, he should be denied because he doesn't deserve to win it.

5 cannidiates in no particular order:
Duncan
Deng
George
Gasol
Hibbert

[Im_in_Mia_bish]

Heat fan here, No.

[TornadoOfSouls]

The Heat are not even a top 10 defensive team, and Lebron gets a lot of leniency from the officials. There was a span of 5 games over two weeks that LBJ wasn't called for a SINGLE FOUL. Call me old school, but I just don't think you can play overall great defense if you don't commit any fouls.

LBJ shouldn't be denied DPOY because he will win MVP, he should be denied because he doesn't deserve to win it.

5 cannidiates in no particular order:
Duncan
Deng
George
Gasol
Hibbert

Good call on Paul George but I'd leave Deng out(hasn't been very good this year) and replace him with Noah.

[kingkenny01]

Larry Sanders should win DPOY, but he won't.

Amen, also lebron deserved DPOY last year over tyson chandler who did even make first team all defense

[HouRealCoach]

You guys give Tony Allen absolutely no respect... He is definitely a candidate

He's the one that gave Memphis that defensive minded identity once he got moved to the starting unit replacing OJ Mayo

[Blitzbolt]

Tony Allen should win it by far just look at what his doing after the trade he is taking over and leading the Grizzlies with basically no offensive game.

His stats don't look that good because he has to play the best player from the other team PG,SG or SF but his still one of the best Defensive rebounding SGs in the NBA 12 in steals.

Gasol is great too but Tony Allen is the heart and soul and the reason why the Grizz are the best or second best Defensive in the NBA.

[ILLUSIONIST^248]

Heat fan here, No.

[MiamiBoy77]

Tony Allen should win it by far just look at what his doing after the trade he is taking over and leading the Grizzlies with basically no offensive game.

His stats don't look that good because he has to play the best player from the other team PG,SG or SF but his still one of the best Defensive rebounding SGs in the NBA 12 in steals.

Gasol is great too but Tony Allen is the heart and soul and the reason why the Grizz are the best or second best Defensive in the NBA.

i agree but i dont think the nba would give it to tony allen, although you bring up GREAT points

[Collings94]

Good call on Paul George but I'd leave Deng out(hasn't been very good this year) and replace him with Noah.

I feel like you have to give someone on the Bulls love since they have the third worst offense in the league, yet are still the 6 seed in the East. Deng always guards the other teams top perimeter player, while also playing the most mpg in the league. You could easily give it to Noah, though.

I think Gasol has the edge over Allen just because as a post player, he has a more identifiable impact on the game.

And just to further the point on how Lebron shouldn't win DPOY, he isn't in the top 20 in Defensive rating and is 14th in Defensive Win Shares.

[Dnovakovic099]

I feel like you have to give someone on the Bulls love since they have the third worst offense in the league, yet are still the 6 seed in the East. Deng always guards the other teams top perimeter player, while also playing the most mpg in the league. You could easily give it to Noah, though.

I think Gasol has the edge over Allen just because as a post player, he has a more identifiable impact on the game.

And just to further the point on how Lebron shouldn't win DPOY, he isn't in the top 20 in Defensive rating and is 14th in Defensive Win Shares.

Tom Thibadeou should win DPOY. No love for Hibbert either anyone?