Charlotte Hornets Round-Table: 2019 NBA Award Predictions
Defensive Player of the Year
Zachary Padmore: Rudy Gobert.
“This was the easiest pick for me. Rudy Gobert will win back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards. Gobert is easily the best rim protector in the league, and quite honestly, the best rim protector we have seen in quite a long time.
He sets the bar on the defensive end and nobody is more impactful on that end than The Stifle Tower. Indiana’s Myles Turner will be in the running, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Gobert is on another level.”
Giovanni Spillman: Rudy Gobert.
“Gobert earned this award by his defensive intensity on the glass. If a player ever went into the paint, they would have to fear the fact that Gobert was around.
Gobert helped his team make it to the playoffs this season while averaging 2.3 blocks per game, which is about a career average. I do not think there is another player in the league who can play consistent defense in the paint as Gobert can.”
Elijah Edwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“This one’s a bit more difficult, as you have a number of players that could win it. Giannis has the best defensive rating out of guys who plays more than 20 minutes per game and Milwaukee leads the NBA in defensive rating overall.
Joel Embiid is another candidate, as his work on the boards and ability to swat shots away are a large reason Philly has enjoyed success this season. His defensive rating isn’t far off of Antetokounmpo’s as well.
Then you have players like Paul George, who can force turnovers and Rudy Gobert, who is as hard to battle in the paint as just about anyone, and you have a fairly wide open race. In the end, though, I think Giannis will win it, especially if he doesn’t win MVP.”
Daniel Abee: Rudy Gobert.
“Gobert served as an anchor in Utah’s defense all season long and played in all but one game. He finished the season averaging 2.3 blocks a night and made opponents think twice about coming in the paint.
The seven footer possesses a unique combination of length and athleticism that allows him to get off the ground as quick as anyone can at his size. It was unfortunate not to see him make the All-Star team for the first time this season, but being named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year should be a nice consolation for the French man.”