Award seasons, curated
Greatest NBA Defensive Player of the Year seasons.
Seasons where one defender reshaped possessions, matchups and an entire team's ceiling.
Official award history ↗#1
Player season →1993-94 · Houston Rockets
Hakeem Olajuwon
27.3 PPG · 11.9 RPG · 3.7 BPG · MVP + title
The only player to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same season.
#2
Player season →1987-88 · Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan
3.2 SPG · 1.6 BPG · 35.0 PPG
Jordan married DPOY disruption with the highest scoring average of his career.
#3
Player season →2008-09 · Orlando Magic
Dwight Howard
13.8 RPG · 2.9 BPG · Finals berth
The first of three straight DPOYs anchored Orlando's run to the Finals.
#4
Player season →2007-08 · Boston Celtics
Kevin Garnett
9.2 RPG · 1.3 SPG · 1.2 BPG · title
Boston's new defensive language revolved around Garnett's communication and mobility.
#5
Player season →1995-96 · Seattle SuperSonics
Gary Payton
2.9 SPG · 19.3 PPG · Finals berth
The Glove remains the only point guard to take home the award.
#6
Player season →2016-17 · Golden State Warriors
Draymond Green
2.0 SPG · 1.4 BPG · title
His switching and quarterbacking let Golden State play every style of defense.
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