The Valley of the Suns team has come together to give their predictions on the 2016-17 NBA season awards.<..."/> The Valley of the Suns team has come together to give their predictions on the 2016-17 NBA season awards.<..."/>
Valley of the Suns
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Valley of the Suns Season Awards

By Lucas McLean

Mar 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defensive Player of the Year

Honorable mentions: Hassan Whiteside (7), Giannis Antetokounmpo (5), John Wall (5), and Avery Bradley (5)

3rd Place

Rudy Gobert (51)

Minutes Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks FG% TS%
33.9 14 12.8 1.2 0.6 2.6 66.3% 68.3%

The Jazz have reconstructed the Eiffel Tower in Utah. His presence on the floor has single-handedly changed the Utah Jazz franchise for the foreseeable future. Utah owned the regular season’s best defense only allowing 96.8 points per game while having the 3rd best defensive rating. All of Utah’s defensive success can be directly attributed to Gobert’s ascension as the best defensive center in the league.

Rudy Gobert’s on/off stats prove as much. The Jazz have a 6.5 better defensive rating while Gobert is on the floor, 2.3% higher rebounding percentage, 5.7% higher assist percentage, 8.8% higher blocking percentage, and 11.4 positive difference in offensive rating from their opponent.

Gobert is not just one of the best centers in the league but also ranks as one of the best players as well:

  • 1st in blocks
  • 1st in defensive win shares
  • 1st in true shooting percentage
  • 2nd in win shares
  • 2nd in offensive rating
  • 2nd in offensive rebounds
  • 3rd in defensive rating
  • 3rd in defensive box plus/minus
  • 4th in rebounds
  • 8th in VORP

Gobert is an absolute monster on the defensive end and with him signing a five-year extension over last off-season, the Jazz look to be a defensive power house in the West.

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