'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1. He has a chance to make history
The MVP award was introduced in the 1955-1956 season. The Defensive Player of the Year award was established in 1982-1983. Since the awards were introduced, several great players have won them. When it comes to Defensive Player of the Year, players such as Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Gary Payton have been recipients of the award.
In fact, Michael Jordan won both awards in the 1987-88 season. He averaged 35 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. He also averaged a career-high 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks, which as even a career high. The Chicago Bulls legend was terrific on both ends of the floor and that year was the first of many that Jordan received various awards. Jordan was the first player to do, but Olajuwon did it shortly after.
Olajuwon accomplished the feat in the 1993-94 season. He averaged 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and a career-high 3.6 assists. He was also an excellent defender and averaged 3.7 blocks and 1.6 steals. Since then, no other player has won both awards in the same year.
Paul George has a chance to make history and place his name with greats. With his performance on both ends of the floor, he has an opportunity to do so. Antetokounmpo and Harden are the other two candidates for MVP, but George has a different competitor in the Defensive Player of the Year race.
The other two candidates for Defensive Player of the Year are Antetokoumnpo and Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz. Gobert is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and has a legitimate chance at winning two years straight. But George has a great chance of winning.
Paul George has tough competition in both races, but he has a legitimate chance at winning both. If he does so, he solidifies himself as one of the NBA's best players.
George had a spectacular season and deserves recognition for it. While it is a long shot, he should win MVP. He is what the award is all about.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
