NBA Roundtable: Who Will Be This Year’s DPOY?

By Kohl Rast
SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 23: NBA star Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio Spurs attends a fan meeting during his China tour at NBA Playzone on August 23, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 23: NBA star Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio Spurs attends a fan meeting during his China tour at NBA Playzone on August 23, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee, WI – NOVEMBER 19: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors goes for a dunk against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks on November 19, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI – NOVEMBER 19: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors goes for a dunk against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks on November 19, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Draymond Green

“Barring any serious injury, Green becomes a two-time Defensive Player of the year. He can guard anyone on the court and it’s a thrill watching him give the Cavaliers fits. Rudy Gobert finished second in voting last year, but the Warriors had a better season, better record and were the better team, period. Green was a catalyst in it all.” –Aaron Reed

Giannis Antetokounmpo

“While it is hard not to put Giannis over Kawhi in the MVP race, I believe that this year Giannis will have to settle for Defensive Player of the Year. With the return of Jabari Parker and the ever growing experience of this Bucks team, I see Giannis taking a much more defensive role on the team, while still making show stopping plays on the offensive end. If the Bucks offense to find a groove and Giannis is able to primarily focus on defense, he might not get a single point scored on him for the duration of the season.” –Blake Heckel

Next: NBA Roundtable: Who Will Be This Year's MVP?

There will be more candidates who come to light before the season is over, but for now, any of these names could be hoisting the trophy at the end of the season. Will there be a repeat winner? Or are we due for a first-timer this year? We will just have to wait and see.

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