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The 2019-20 NBA regular season in underway and so far, it has lived up to the hype that was attached to it in the past couple of months. The Clippers are clear favorites to clinch the championship this year around and they sure look equipped to do so.
The Warriors have a tall task ahead of them, which includes regrouping after Kevin Durant's departure and regaining the throne with limited talent on the roster. Much of this season is expected to be a roller-coaster ride, considering the player movements that were made in the offseason. It becomes hard to put a finger on a single thread without the others slipping out. However, here we make an effort to ascertain some moderately-outrageous picks for one of the most coveted NBA award.
With a plethora of thrilling encounters lined up for NBA fans across the world, it makes perfect sense to make some bold predictions based on past knowledge and future projections.
On the note, let's skim through a bunch of unique defensive talents that just might surprise us with a DPOY award at the end of this season.
#1 Patrick Beverley
Ever since the Clippers rose to recognition last year after making noticeable waves against Golden State Warriors in the playoffs, Patrick Beverley's efforts have been greatly applauded. Carrying an apt nickname of "Mr. 94 Feet", Pat Bev never backs down from a defensive challenge, irrespective of the size mismatch or skill deficit.
Standing at just 6-foot-1, he houses the energy and confidence to guard megastars like Kevin Durant & LeBron James, whilst somehow also managing to be the hype man for the entire squad throughout the game.
To some, picking 31-year-old Beverley for the DPOY award would seem a bit too far-fetched. However, it would be worth mentioning that he got an NBA All-Defensive First team nod just a season ago. Therefore, given the ideal circumstances that have brewed lately in the Clippers franchise it makes it that much more easier for Patrick Beverley to be himself and more.
#2 Draymond Green
With three NBA All-Defensive first-team nods from 2015 through 2017, Draymond Green is no stranger to elite defense in crunch situations. There's a reason he has played a pivotal role in establishing the Warriors dyanasty over the past few years. His will to play hard and inspire others to give their all is something that transcends statsheets.
He led the league in steals in 2017 and has been named in All-Defensive second teams ever since. With the new look Dubs squad missing Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, it is near-perfect timing for Green to extend his wingspan and play a major role on both ends of the floor.
Green is one of the few players across the league who can be a dominant presence on defense and still be able to contribute double-digits in scoring on a nightly basis.
#3 Joel Embiid
With the monstrous season he just had, Joel Embiid is on course to be the greatest big man in the league since Shaq hung his boots. He is already a 2-time All-Star and averaged almost two blocks per game this past season. Needless to say, his seven-foot frame is being put to good use by the Philly thinktank.
Just in the past two seasons, the Cameroonian did enough to get a couple of All-NBA Second team and All-Defensive Second team nods. He has evolved into a complete force on both ends of the floor and is only projected to soar higher if he manages to steer clear of injuries.
#4 Myles Turner
In just one season, 23-year-old Myles Turner went from being an average defender at best to arguably the best shot blocker in the league. Averaging 2.7 blocks per game last year, Turner showcased his elite skill level when it came to protecting the rim on an impressively consistent basis.
Despite not being recognised duly for his efforts, Turner continued to carry forward his dominant showing into the offseason and was one of the lone bright spots in Team USA's forgettable FIBA WC campaign.
He played (and started) in 74 games for Indiana and averaged over 13 points per game. The Pacers center is one of the select few in the NBA who have career block averages in upwards of 2 blocks per game.
#5 Jrue Holiday
Now that the Pelicans find themselves in a fairly promising situation after their recent player acquisitions, they can rest assured that Jrue Holiday has a chance to shine on the big stage. To provide some perspective about his talent level, the 29-year-old landed an All-Defensive second team spot last year, and that aspect of the game isn't even his fortae.
Highly skilled at making clutch shots at regular intervals, Holiday averaged over 21 points per game this past season, despite hovering in the shadow of Anthony Davis for the most part of the year.
The young core that surrounds him now, present a golden opportunity for him to expand the horizons of his defensive IQ and be more of a player than he ever was.
