2013-14 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds: Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers

2013-14 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds: Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers: Since first awarded during the 1982-83 season, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award has been dominated by big men. The trend has been particularly true recently with centers and power forwards winning the award in 16 of the last 17 seasons, including nine straight. The only player to win during the stretch that played any type of perimeter defense was Ron Artest, who snagged the honor in 2003-04. Before that, you have to go back to Gary Payton in 1995-96 to find a non-big that earned top honors. Last year, it was Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol winning Defensive Player of the Year honors for the first time. While Gasol will try to become the eighth different player to win the honor in back-to-back years, he is sure to face some stiff competition. With the season set to begin in a few weeks, here is a closer look at the players that could take home Defensive Player of the Year honors in the 2013-14 NBA season.

The Favorites

Although he was torn to shreds by the media last year, Dwight Howard still managed to lead the NBA in rebounding and rank fifth in blocks per game. Meanwhile, he was the only player in the top five in blocks that averaged more than a steal per game, as well. If Howard was able to put up those numbers in a down year, imagine what he will do now that he is happy and healthy as a member of the Houston Rockets. Don’t be surprised when Howard becomes the same type of dominating rim protector that won three straight Defensive Player of the Year titles from 2008-09 to 2010-11.

He took home Defensive Player of the Year honors last year, and Memphis center Marc Gasol could repeat in 2013-14. In addition to averaging 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game last year, he emerged as a feared rim protector and one of the best post defenders. The fact that he anchors a Grizzlies’ defense that ranks at or near the top of every defensive category the NBA keeps track of doesn’t hurt his chances of repeating either.

If not for a late-season injury that forced him to miss time, Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah might have won the Defensive Player of the Year Award last season. When he was on the court, Noah averaged 11.1 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. He has always been a guy that makes countless hustle plays and is a thorn in the side of opposing players, and now that Noah’s impact is showing up on the stat sheet more, voters will have a tough time ignoring him.

Other Contenders

Why LeBron James hasn’t received Defensive Player of the Year honors multiple times already, I’ll never know. He is without question the most versatile defender in the NBA, and on any given night he cannot only guard a point guard like Derrick Rose or a center like Al Jefferson, but he can shut them down. Unfortunately, his lockdown, on-ball defensive skills don’t show on the stat sheet like gaudy block and steal total do. Not to mention the fact that there always seems to be the mindset among voters that since he is already winning MVPs that he doesn’t need another award. James’ defensive skills aren’t going to slip, but neither are the circumstances that have kept him from winning Defensive Player of the Year honors.

While his blocks per game slipped last year, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka still led the NBA in the category for the second consecutive year. Thanks to his length and athleticism, the guy is in a class by himself when it comes to piling up blocked shots and double-digit totals are routine. On the flip side, Ibaka is a below average rebounder and not an overly physical post defender. Still, the ridiculous block totals will keep him in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

The Sleeper

After averaging less than 15 minutes per game in his first two seasons in the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders took full advantage of his playing time last year. He averaged a career-high 9.5 rebounds per game while his 2.8 blocks per game ranked second in the NBA. Sanders was particularly effective blocking the shots of the players he was guarding, rather than simply piling them up as a help-side defender. Playing for a Milwaukee team unlikely to contend for a playoff spot won’t help his chances of winning Defensive Player of the Year honors, but he threatens to lead the NBA in blocks once again while averaging 10-plus rebounds, Sanders could still be in the mix.

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