Paul George would be honored to be named the Defensive Player of the Year, after being a clear contender for the spot as the second-leading steals man in the NBA. He told reporters that winning the award would mean a lot to him:
“It would mean a lot because I pride myself on the defensive end,” said George on Tuesday morning. “I think I've been one of the best defenders. It's way past that point by now, but I don't play for awards — I go out and play the hardest I can to try to win games. The awards… if I get it, good. If I don't, you move on — just play the game, have fun with the game.”
Teammate Russell Westbrook, who actually leads the league in steals (2.34 per game to George's 2.31) has endorsed him gracefully, claiming his work at the defensive end has spearheaded a great start to the season, now finding himself more comfortable in his second season with the team.
George ranks seventh in the league in defensive rating, while Westbrook ranks fourth, though the former has the reputation in his favor, having been selected to the All-NBA First Defensive Team once (2014) and to the second team twice (2013, 2016).
Westbrook hasn't garnered any defensive awards throughout his 10-plus-year career, since he was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman in UCLA in 2008 before declaring for the NBA Draft that same year.
George stands a good chance at getting the award, but will have to battle others like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner (league leader in blocks) and reigning DPOY winner Rudy Gobert for the coveted award.
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