RealGM

This is a question for anyone willing to look it up.. when was the last time someone won MVP and DPOY? Lebron certainly looks like he is in the running for both right now, and I am just a little curious as to when the last time someone has done this. It would be quite a feat IMO.

Thanks to whoever answers.

I know Jordan did it a couple of times in his career, but I don't know if he was the last one to do it.

Did Hakeem Olajuwon do it too? I have no idea.

Hakeem once (93/94), Jordan once (87/88) and that's it...

LeBron would have to play defense like he did against Boston for the rest of the season to have a shot at the award imo...

I just don't see Lebron getting defensive player of the year. It really is normally given to someone with the most steals or blocks. But, anyone that actually watches the Cavs knows that LeBron is the teams defensive linchpin because of his versatility. I just don't think that the people that vote are that sophisticated.

LOL.. yeah I don't know if he'll actually get it.. but it was more about when was the last time it has happened.. Lebron is getting a lot of respect defensively this year though (from analyst and writers) so I thought it would be interesting.. It might depend more on whether they go with the guy who has the best stats defensively like you said.. or who might be the best wing defender in the game.. One thing is for sure, if people didn't notice Lebron's effort on defense before Friday, they sure do now.

I dont think he has to lead every category but if he is top 3 in blocks from small forwards, a top 5 to 10 in steals, and Cavs lead in most team defense categories or is overall best defensive team, I think he will have a chance to win. I think if he gets both he will start leading the charge in personal achievements for his career. As shown above this is a tough thing to do and Lebron will be gathering his platform for best ever(to argue one day, not today) especially if he gets a championship plus finals MVP this year.

dwight will win enough said. you are all homers. dwight is clearly the best this year when it comes to defense. case closed

LeBron's more popular...

LMAO @ L&H.

Anyways, I would be blatantly surprised if LeBron gets the DPOY. Probably would end up in top 5 in terms of voting. But Howard has the best chance at it IMO.

Lebron has a shot at DPOY if he has another "shut-down" type game against Kobe and the Lakers. He needs some more signuature defensive performances to create some hype.

I think he has a very good chance of making 1st team all-defense which would be a big improvement for him individually. Alot of the top defensive forwards like Artest, Battier, Bowen, have been out with injuries all season.

Benedict_Boozer wrote:Lebron has a shot at DPOY if he has another "shut-down" type game against Kobe and the Lakers. He needs some more signuature defensive performances to create some hype.

I think he has a very good chance of making 1st team all-defense which would be a big improvement for him individually. Alot of the top defensive forwards like Artest, Battier, Bowen, have been out with injuries all season.

I completely agree with this. If Lebron can do what he did a couple more times against the top guards and forwards then he will very much be right beside Dwight for consideration.

I will say this though.. DPOY has been a big man award.. Besides Artest in 03-04, it goes back to 95-96 with payton.. everyone since (and back another half decade) has been a big man. http://www.nba.com/history/awards_defensiveplayer.html Jut another thing to consider.. and to say how tough it will be for Lebron to actually win the award.. but I'm still optimistic.

joshman wrote:Warned for Trolling

someone got all hot and bothered about an internet posting

I think Howard will probably win it. I mean his block and rebound averages are ridiculous. But on the other hand, what if LeBron won the MVP, DPOY, All-Star MVP, Finals MVP and a championship to bring home to Cleveland. Am I dreaming?

RevMan26 wrote:I think Howard will probably win it. I mean his block and rebound averages are ridiculous. But on the other hand, what if LeBron won the MVP, DPOY, All-Star MVP, Finals MVP and a championship to bring home to Cleveland. Am I dreaming?

I remember doing that in a video game... How I wish it was deja vu.

I think Lebron is a great defender, but DPOY is reserved for a guy who teams have to basically game plan when it comes to their offense like teams have to for players like Lebron with their defenses. I really haven't seen anybody like that since Ben Wallace and Ron Artest in their hey-days. I mean, Ben Wallace was changed every play and limited teams second chances with his rebounding, and Artest took just about any elite wing player out of the game. I think the closest guys to that today are KG and Dwight Howard. Howard is a beast that changes almost every shot and almost negates the existence of second chance opportunities with his rebounding rate.

If Lebron took on the other teams best player every night, continued the help defense, upped his defensive rebounding rate and maybe led the league in steals or blocks, then I'd give it to him. As it is, though, I just don't see it. He changes the game at times, but not like the defensive greats.

Yeah, another thing about that... LeBron is a great defender no doubt, probably one of the best in the league. The only problem is he doesn't play that elite defense like he did against Boston consistently.

Also you have to look at who he has guarded and kept quiet this year. I believe he has guarded these elite players: Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Danny Granger, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest. Those are some big named players that he has guarded when we have won. I was going to look up the stats to see if any of these guys dominated LeBron on offense, but I became lazy when I couldn't find all of the box scores.

LeBron will have the best chance of this year to prove his defensive worth when he gets his shot at guarding Kobe in about a week. If he can take care of that match up, i think a lot more heads will begin to turn