Alex Stewart
The Santa Clara
January 18, 2018
Defensive Player of the Year – Al Horford (Boston Celtics)
Kyrie Irving is the main head-turner with the revamped Celtics, but Al Horford is arguably the more valuable player (especially on defense). Horford is very reliable on that half of the floor, with his ability to defend multiple positions, both in the low post and on the perimeter. This is Horford’s award to lose because Boston presently sits first place in the East, they have the top defense in the league and any other contenders for this award are currently injured.