NBA Awards 2019: 3 reasons why Paul George should win the Defensive Player of the Year Award

Paul George is one of the most sought-after players in the league and has just finished his second season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Even though he battled shoulder injuries for a large part of the campaign, he still ended up having the best season of his NBA career thus far.

In the 2018 off-season, he has agreed to a four-year, $137 million max contract to stay with the franchise. While the Thunder did not have a great season as they exited the playoffs in the first round for the third straight season, Paul George did give the fans a lot of moments to cherish which includes high flying dunks, clutch three-pointers, game-winners and excellent defense.

Let us take a look at three reasons why Paul George should win the Defensive Player of the year award.

#3 Their record this season against the top teams

After going 48-34 last time around, the Oklahoma City Thunder have only won a game more this season to end with a 49-33 record. However, their record against the top teams speaks for itself.

Against the defending champions Golden State Warriors, they finished 1-2 and George averaged over 25 points per game. He also did a commendable job guarding Durant and Curry although he didn't completely shut them down (no one in the league does that !)

They were 3-1 against the Houston Rockets and the forward was easily the best player on the court. He made his mark guarding James Harden and clearly showed everyone why he is considered to be one of the best defenders in the league.

The Raptors and the Thunder split their series, 1-1 and George averaged 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He was also dominant in the 2-1 series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

They swept the Portland Trail Blazers 4-0 during the regular season and this is what Portland guard Damian Lillard had to say after George dropped 47 points on them in Feburary.

Damian Lillard on Paul George, who torched the Blazers for 47 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists Monday night: "He’s on a different level. After watching him over the last 10 games or so — I catch a lot of their games — that dude, he’s MVP. If they keep this up, he’s MVP."
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) February 12, 2019

Expand Tweet

Strangely, the Thunder lost to the same Blazers team who were without their starting center in five games in the first round of the playoffs.

#2 Heart and soul of the Thunder's defense

The Thunder were one of the best teams on defense this season and it was all because of George, who showed up every night on both ends of the floor, before injuring his shoulder which affected his performances towards the end of the season.

Their defense thrives with George on the team and the difference in the level of intensity the team plays whenever he goes to the bench is so clearly visible. He gets the steal first and then converts it into a basket on the other end.

George, 29, is one of the best two way players in the league and the Thunder's overall defensive rating has increased since he made his Thunder debut last season.

This season posed a serious challenge to the Thunder as they were without their best defender, Andre Roberson, who missed the entire season due to a knee injury, but George came up big for the team.

#1 Paul George led the league in steals this season

Oklahoma City Thunder v Portland Trail Blazers - Game Five

Paul George had by far his best individual season and was a reliable threat on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis. His display helped the Thunder end the regular season as a top five defensive rated team.

The Thunder forced more turnovers than any other team in the association, thanks in large part to George. The Fresno State product led the league in steals per game (2.2) and deflected balls.

He created opportunities for the Thunder on the other side by playing stellar defense and he has done all this while having his best offensive season ever in the NBA. The forward eventually ended up as one of the three finalists for the most prestigious Defensive Player of the Year award.

It is worth mentioning that he is also named a finalist for the Most Valuable Player of the year trophy. The awards will be presented on June 24 in Los Angeles.