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Soaring Down South’s NBA Awards Roundtable

By Collin Huguley

Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A fan holds a Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) MVP sign as the Rockets play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A fan holds a Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) MVP sign as the Rockets play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 20, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) controls the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 104-74. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 20, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) controls the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 104-74. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Player of the Year

Huguley’s pick: Draymond Green. Here is a simple question regarding this award race: What can’t Green do on the defensive end? His energy, smarts, and elite versatility make Green the best defensive player of his generation, and maybe of all-time. With all due respect to Leonard and Rudy Gobert, not one player’s impact on the defensive end is greater than Green’s. His ability on that end of the floor transformed Golden State from good to great and is a big reason why they will be able to stay on top for a long time.

Snyder’s pick: Rudy Gobert. Leonard and Green would also be deserving winners, but Gobert is the best rim protector in the NBA. The way his presence on the interior impacts Utah’s overall team defense is astounding. Good luck scoring on him when you get into the paint. Gobert owns that paint.

Bende’s pick: Draymond Green. He consistently guards bigger players and is the fulcrum of a dominant defensive team that also happens to run undersized lineups and a defensively inept Stephen Curry.

More from Hawks News

O’Donnell’s pick: Draymond Green. An award that that is given to the less glamorous players in the league, I think the DPOY award is a two-man race with Leonard trying to keep up in third. Gobert has been a transformative center for Utah this year and probably has as much claim to their success as Gordon Hayward. However, you cannot give this award to anyone else but Green. In what has been an extremely eventful year for the Warriors from KD’s injury to Curry’s slump, one constant force has kept Golden State as its elite self. Green heads the second most efficient defense in the league, that is 1st in steals and 1st in blocks. He’s the first player in the history of the NBA to register at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocks in a single season. Draymond has been a sensation for the Warriors and deserves to be recognized.

Robertson’s pick: Rudy Gobert. Fourth in the NBA and rebounding and leading the whole league in blocks per game, Gobert should walk away with the DPOY award. Not to mention that, on top of the rebounds and blocks, he also leads the league in defensive win shares and was the best in the league when it came to opponent FG% inside the restricted area (55.8%). If it wasn’t for Rudy holding down the paint, the Jazz would have to fight hard just to qualify for the playoffs. His defensive prowess was crucial for the Jazz as they had their best season since prime Deron Williams was wearing their jersey.

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