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Utah Jazz: Who is Rudy Gobert’s competition for Defensive Player of the Year?

Jared Woodcox|
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz attempts to block a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz attempts to block a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 4: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors blocks a shot against the Denver Nuggets on November 4, 2017 at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 4: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors blocks a shot against the Denver Nuggets on November 4, 2017 at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)

Draymond Green

This one should come as no surprise. Although Draymond Green failed to finish in the top three last season, he won the award quite handily in 2017. Green is one of the most versatile defenders in the game with his ability to defend essentially every position one through five. Whenever Draymond is on the floor, you can bet he’ll have a positive impact defensively as he can switch onto just about anyone.

Last season, his defense wasn’t as exhilarating as it had been the year before when he took home the award, but Green should still be considered a perennial contender for this recognition. He bested Rudy Gobert once before and certainly could do so moving forward, especially as a member of such an elite squad that figures to once again be the best in the NBA.

The year that Draymond won the award, he posted an amazing defensive rating of 99.3 and stuffed the stat sheet with two steals and nearly a block and a half per game. He really has the tools to do it all on D and shouldn’t be overlooked despite not being one of the finalists last season.

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