NBA 2018-19: 5 Preseason Picks for Defensive Player of the Year

#4 Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid is ready to take over the league, on both ends of the floor

Joel Embiid is an unexpected phenomenon. After missing the first two years of his career in the NBA due to injury, he came out of nowhere in 2016 and took all of the spectators by storm. But beside his obvious superstar potential and offensive versatility, Embiid showed he can also be one of the best defensive stoppers in the league.

So far, in his 94-game career in the NBA, Embiid racked up 933 rebounds and 187 blocks. That is the most blocks and second-most rebounds among players who played less than 100 games in the past two years.

If Embiid will stay on track, he could also make his way into a very special group of players. In his current rebounding and blocking pace, Embiid could amass 1000 rebounds and 200 blocks by the end of his 100th NBA game. The only eight players who did it so far are all Hall of Famers, except for Tim Duncan, who has been retired for just two years, and will be eligible only in 2020.

Embiid already wants to be MVP next year, but he will surely want to win this award too.