Defensive Player of the Year
Zack Padmore – Rudy Gobert (Utah)
This was the easiest prediction for me, as Rudy Gobert has proved to the world that he is the best defender in basketball. His impact on that end of the floor is incredible, and he will continue to anchor the Jazz defense for many years to come. Not only do I think that Rudy will win this award back-to-back years, I think he’ll have a chance to win it multiple years in a row.
I’m pretty confident in saying that he’ll go down as one of the more dominant defensive players in the history of the game. His rim protection is top-notch, his timing is perfect, he covers so much ground… Man, this guy is one heck of a defensive player.
Hayden Van de Maat – Rudy Gobert (Utah)
With the Jazz expected to boast the best defense in the league for the 2018-19 season, it’s hard to see anyone but the Stifle Tower winning Defensive Player of the Year.
Josh Padmore – Rudy Gobert (Utah)
Like Kawhi Leonard did in 2015 and 2016, I see Rudy Gobert winning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards. He’s the best defensive center/presence in the game, it’s as simple as that. He won it last year despite missing a lot of games. A healthy Rudy Gobert should have no problem winning it again this year.
Ryan Aston – Kawhi Leonard (Toronto)
When he’s healthy, Kawhi Leonard might be the most versatile defender in the whole of the Association. And after more or less destroying his reputation in San Antonio last season, you can bet he’s going to be doing all he can to remind people of his elite-level talents ahead of free agency.
It’s worth noting that awards voters have always held him in the highest esteem as well. I 100-percent believe that Gobert is more impactful overall, but Leonard will once again be the sexy, more accessible pick for DPOY.
Jared Woodcox – Rudy Gobert (Utah)
Can a Utah Jazz player really win this award two years in a row? I’m hesitant but hopeful and truly believe Rudy Gobert will be deserving once again as he continues to anchor what should very well be the league’s best defense. His impact on the court simply can’t be understated as he protects the rim, allows his teammates to lock down the perimeter better and helps force opponents into taking exactly the kind of shots the Jazz want.
With Kawhi Leonard returning to action and Anthony Davis continuing to emerge as a superstar figure and defensive extraordinaire, not to mention voters simply wanting something new, Gobert will have plenty of challengers for this award. He’ll have to take his defense to another level entirely (if that’s even fathomable) as well as remain healthy all year this time around. It will be difficult, but I’m confident that the Jazz center can pull it off.