NBA: Ranking the careers of the 7 perimeter defenders that won DPOY

#4 Sidney Moncrief

Sidney Moncrief

Career Stat line: 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks per game

Career Honors: 2xDefensive Player of the Year (1983, 1984), All-NBA First Team (1983), 4xAll-NBA Second Team (1982, 1984-1986), 4xAll-Defensive First Team (1983-1986), All-Defensive Second Team (1982), 5xAll Star (1982-1986)

Sidney Moncrief was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 5th overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft. His two-way prowess increased with every game, and Moncrief made the All-Star team by his 3rd season in the league, on the way to one of the most impressive seasons by any player in the league: Moncrief averaged 19.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.7 steals while playing lockdown defense on the best perimeter player on the opposition team.

Moncrief's prowess on the defensive end was recognized with an All-NBA Second Team selection that season. Other than the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks were the best team in the Eastern Conference but were unable to make the NBA Finals during Moncrief's time in Milwaukee.

Michael Jordan once said the following to a reporter:

When you play against Moncrief, you're in for a night of all-around basketball. He'll hound you everywhere you go, both ends of the court. You just expect it.

If not for a regenerative knee condition that troubled him for the second leg of his career, Moncrief would surely be a Hall of Famer.