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Just saw this article from Eric Pincus - Pretty cool, I think it definitely can happen. Hope it wasn't posted/talked about already.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-2-deandre ... -goal-dpoy

I think he is a great help defender, but needs to improve one-on-one. I think if he could add some pounds/strength it would help him tremendously. On his very lean frame he should be able to put on a few pounds without decreasing his quickness.

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It's nice that he's a setting such a high goal for himself. I'm not saying it's impossible, but Dwight Howard is going to make it very hard to achieve. As madmax stated, he needs to improve his man defense. He's kind of modeled himself after Camby who is known for weakside defense, but so-so man defense.

Right now, he does a great job of intimidating. It's a positive when you can make the offensive player second guess coming into the lane or force them to alter their shot. The problem that he has is that he bites the fakes and he'll leave his man (right in scoring position near the basket) to attempt a block. His awareness/defensive IQ has to improve and I hope it does over time.

Even aside from Howard, he still has a long way to go. When Jordan was drafted in the second round I thought it was the best thing that could happen to him, he got that motivation. Well now he just got that big contract extension, has a great rapport with the franchise talent and now has a point guard that can really make him effective. All that being said, DPOY?

Like mentioned in this thread, he really needs to improve his man to man defense. He still has a long way to go in this regard, still falls for to many pump fakes but he really seems motivated. With a guy like him that's what you really hope for. I still don't think he is an enforcer, but he is on the right path.

i hope he does get DPOY... he was the first big i drafted in my fantasy league! lol

Everyone is talking about his man defense, but his help defense isn't there yet either. Needs to learn to stay on the ground more, needs to gauge when to take charges or just put his hands up as opposed to going for shot blocks. He also needs to become an extremely vocal anchor behind the defense and direct the other players.

With that said, I love this goal, and I think because of the shortened season, it will take some time for the defense to gel and be fully functional also. So as the season goes on, I think we will see him improving defensively. Big man coach anyone?

On the plus side, all that he is able to accomplish is largely due to his great athletic ability. He is still young, and just starting to develop some sort of fundamental basketball skills. If he continues to work hard, he has a good head on his shoulders and could/should be much better in a year or 2.

A lot of his deficiencies have been pointed out in this thread, what is nice to see is that he seems to make his presence felt more on D- like mkwest said I think he is at least an intimidator on the floor. If his overall defensive efficiency ever comes close to matching his intimidating athletic presence it will go a long way in helping the Clippers really contend. Just do that, I won't care about the sub-50% FT percentage (well, maybe at least just get to 50% so Hack-a-DJ can go away.)

I like the goal that he has set for himself. But like many of you have said DJ needs to improve his defense. He's better than the average Center and the best thing he has going for him is his shot blocking. I hope he takes the time to get better and meet his goal.

8 blocks per game should have him in the running.

As good as the numbers are, those voters that watch will see otherwise. He got caught in the air at least 3 or 4 times when rotating to cover a drive from Ellis who was able to dish to a cutting Beans or Lee in the last game, most resulting in baseline dunks. And that's not counting the times he went for pump fakes from a standing start.

He had 2 nice blocks in a row last night, one on Duncan...

He needs to focus on rebounding more & avg at least 10 ppg. Plus, his defense in the paint is subpar at times.