Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, the leading defender on the NBA’s leading defense, believes he is the Defensive Player of the Year. So, too, does Mikal Bridges, the Phoenix Suns‘ fourth-year wing and the franchise’s top NBA All-Defensive candidate.
But, based on the award’s history, it’s unlikely either of the league’s premier defensive stoppers will win it.
In the 39 times the Defensive Player of the Year has been awarded since its inception during the 1982-83 season, one point guard has won it: Hall of Famer Gary Payton, in 1996, behind a league-leading 2.9 steals per game.
Shooting guards have won it another five times, but none since Michael Jordan in 1988, as that position claimed the award five of the first six years it was handed out.
Centers have won the award a whopping 25 times, while three power forwards who patrol the paint — Kevin Garnett,
