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

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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BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics blocks a shot by Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics blocks a shot by Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Al Horford

The Boston Celtics have a lot of young talent with offensive firepower that makes them an exciting squad. However, people often forget how much they excel defensively, perhaps even more so than on offense. And that defense is anchored by none other than All-Star veteran Al Horford.

Horford isn’t an ‘in-your-face’ defensive player in the respect that he’s swatting countless shots or getting in the faces of opponents when holding them at bay. But nevertheless, he’s about as steady as they come at defending the paint. He was on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season, and I truly believe that if the Boston Celtics are as much of a force this season as they’re projected to be, he could be right in the thick of the DPOY conversation.

The Boston Celtics led the league in defensive rating last season at an impressive mark of 101.5 thanks largely to the efforts of Al Horford. They also finished third in the league in opponent points per game at 100.4.

As the anchor of that defense and last line of defense at the rim, as Horford bolsters the Celtics to elite defensive ranks this season, I believe he could emerge as a competitor for the DPOY as well.