RealGM

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/04/21/dpoy.20090421/

nice to see ariza get some respect. he finished right behind ronny.

also, don't have a problem with any of the players ahead of kobe, except for the offensive flopper of the yr. he shouldn't be ahead of kobe.

Indeed. CP3 does not belong on that list. Might as well have nominated Iverson all these years if they are going to judge a defensive player based solely on steals.

cp3 should be behind rondo. i think switching rondo and cp3 would make the top of the list a lot better.

I think this is safe to say.. the media only cares about stats.

If Kobe averaged a block and almost 2 steals a game, he'd be a lock for DPOY.

But all the media cares about is stats. What did Wade and LeBron shoot against Kobe this season? LeBron got shut down twice and in LA, Wade was shut down by Kobe. Most of his points came against Trevor Ariza.

And having Wade over Shane Battier? Are you kidding me? Because he got a bunch of blocks? If I need a defender, I'm taking Battier over Wade any day of the week.

TylersLakers wrote:I think this is safe to say.. the media only cares about stats.

If Kobe averaged a block and almost 2 steals a game, he'd be a lock for DPOY.

But all the media cares about is stats. What did Wade and LeBron shoot against Kobe this season? LeBron got shut down twice and in LA, Wade was shut down by Kobe. Most of his points came against Trevor Ariza.

And having Wade over Shane Battier? Are you kidding me? Because he got a bunch of blocks? If I need a defender, I'm taking Battier over Wade any day of the week.

Watch many Heat games this year? Wade has become a certified lock-down defender while shouldering the ENTIRE offensive load. Whats more, he has the stats (blocks and steals) to back it up. But its not just about stats with Wade, he's been playing real D all year.

Also, IMO this has been one of Kobe's best defensive seasons. This is primarily why he doesn't have the typical defensive stats to show it. He has been a doing a great job of guarding the opposing team's best player with good honest D. Not just roaming for steals like he did so much in prior years.

Isn't roaming on D searching for steals and blocks exactly what Wade did this year?

No.

No brothers, this is where I disagree with you. Dwayne Wade has been phenomenal on defense this season. I believe he's got over 100 blocks and steals this season while dropping 2000+ points. If that's what roaming around on D gets you, then so be it. Many of these stats were collected in the clutch as well. We can't deny that and act like it didn't mean anything. Homerism has a limit.

sorry but wade nor lebron have been lockdown defenders this year. they both get burned regularly. wade has improved on his shot blocking,and playing the passing lanes. imo i still think kobe is the better defender. he is able to stay in front of his man better,then either of those two.

magic1fan wrote:sorry but wade nor lebron have been lockdown defenders this year. they both get burned regularly. wade has improved on his shot blocking,and playing the passing lanes. imo i still think kobe is the better defender. he is able to stay in front of his man better,then either of those two.

I agree that Kobe is still the better defender of the 3. But I disagree with your first point. Both Wade and Lebron deserve tons of credit for their drastic increase in defensive effort and efficienty this season. IMO they have both have been lockdown defenders, considering what they are required to do on offense.

I thought Wade and LeBron were very good in the games I've seen -- Paul, too. He makes some of the best instinctive plays on the ball I've seen in a long time. His problems come because he's so slight. He just doesn't have the bulk to match up well with bigger players. I agree that Rondo's a better pure defensive player but as a ballhawk, Paul is about as good as they come.

i think they're more critical of kobe than the others... every time he does a steal attempt or risk leaving his player to do a double team cost him more. I feel that they're more harsh on him... I guess his tainted image is still affecting the league.

I thot ariza would be much higher.. o wells.. complaining won't help. lol

I don't know. Kobe's been alright on D. He's not consistent enough. Sure he locks down on his man when he is DETERMINED. But I've seen as much time as Kobe making ill decisions to roam and double team unnecessarily only to give up a 3-pointer from his man. Plus he has gotten away with so many defensive 3-secs due to roaming and and just hanging around near the basket instead of keeping an eye on the perimeter guys.

Kobe is definite an elite lock down defender, but he doesn't do it enough.

^+1. Kobe plays superstar defense. He gives guys wide open shots sometimes because he knows they can't outscore him.

He plays his best when he sticks to his fundamentals.

Yeah I have to agree with you guys about CP3. He doesn't belong in the top 20. Yeah he holds a record in steals, but that's all he does. He offers no real resistance other than that. He's like Iverson he plays hard, but when it comes down to it he's just not a good defender.

In my opinion, CP3 and Kobe should switch places, and CP3 should be bumped down a bit.

LMOF at Lebron being in 2nd place.
I mean the guy not only gets every call on offense, but he has only fouled out 6 times in his entire career, and he averages 2 fouls a game his entire career.
Now I know MJ was one of the best defenders, yet he average 2.8 fouls a game.
So either Lebron doesnt play defense and if that the case then why is he ranked 2nd or he gets away with it by commiting 2 fouls a game which is unheard of.

TonyMontana wrote:LMOF at Lebron being in 2nd place.
I mean the guy not only gets every call on offense, but he has only fouled out 6 times in his entire career, and he averages 2 fouls a game his entire career.
Now I know MJ was one of the best defenders, yet he average 2.8 fouls a game.
So either Lebron doesnt play defense and if that the case then why is he ranked 2nd or he gets away with it by commiting 2 fouls a game which is unheard of.

sam smith did an article about two weeks ago,showing how lebron is protected.