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NBA Predictions: Who Will Be League Defensive Player of the Year?

By Kohl Rast
Apr 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Centers

January 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) shoots against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) shoots against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Two NBA centers stick out as the clear favorites to take control of the DPOY award in the middle. The big men from Los Angeles and Miami will be atop the leaderboard in the rebounds and blocks category. Here are a few predictions.

DeAndre Jordan

“The defensive player of the year in the NBA this year will be DeAndre Jordan. The uber-athletic big man is a terror in the paint and makes slashing guards second guess their drives to the bucket. With an elite perimeter defender such as Chris Paul helping out, Jordan’s only job is to police the paint like no one else can.”

– Evan Siegel

Hassan Whiteside

“To me, it is hard to pick against Hassan Whiteside when we talk about defensive player of the year honors. Whiteside obliterated everyone in the league in blocks last season, averaging an unheard of 3.7 blocks per game. That is 1.4 more than the 2nd place blocker, DeAndre Jordan. If he can stay anywhere near that average, while maintaining a top 5 rebound mark, he is my pick to claim DPOY.”

Next: NBA Predictions: Who Will Be League MVP?

Obviously there are other names that can sneak into the defensive conversation, but expect to see one of these four names holding up the award at the end of the season.

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