Defensive Player of the Year Winner List

By SK Desk
•
Last Modified Mar 12, 2024 07:53 GMT
Defensive Player of the Year Winner List
Defensive Player
Contents
  1. Defensive Player of the Year Winner List

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award is a prestigious recognition within professional basketball, honoring the player who exhibits outstanding defensive prowess and impact throughout the season. Instituted in the 1982-1983 NBA season, the award highlights defense's critical role in the game's dynamics and outcomes. Recognized globally, the accolade symbolizes the dedication, skill, and strategic understanding required to excel on the defensive end of the court. Winners of the award often demonstrate exceptional abilities in shot-blocking, steals, overall defensive presence, and the capacity to disrupt opposing offenses. With a history of celebrated recipients, including luminaries like Dikembe Mutombo, Michael Jordan, and Hakeem Olajuwon, the Defensive Player of the Year Award continues to embody the pinnacle of defensive excellence in professional basketball.

Defensive Player of the Year Winner List

SeasonPlayerPositionNationalityTeam
1982–83Sidney MoncriefShooting guard United StatesMilwaukee Bucks
1983–84Sidney MoncriefShooting guard United StatesMilwaukee Bucks
1984–85Mark EatonCenter United StatesUtah Jazz
1985–86Alvin RobertsonShooting guard United StatesSan Antonio Spurs
1986–87Michael CooperShooting guard United StatesLos Angeles Lakers
1987–88Michael JordanShooting guard United StatesChicago Bulls
1988–89Mark EatonCenter United StatesUtah Jazz
1989–90Dennis RodmanSmall forward United StatesDetroit Pistons
1990–91Dennis RodmanSmall forward United StatesDetroit Pistons
1991–92David RobinsonCenter United StatesSan Antonio Spurs
1992–93Hakeem OlajuwonCenter NigeriaHouston Rockets
1993–94Hakeem OlajuwonCenter NigeriaHouston Rockets
1994–95Dikembe MutomboCenter ZaireDenver Nuggets
1995–96Gary PaytonPoint guard United StatesSeattle SuperSonics
1996–97Dikembe MutomboCenter ZaireAtlanta Hawks
1997–98Dikembe MutomboCenter DR CongoAtlanta Hawks
1998–99Alonzo MourningCenter United StatesMiami Heat
1999–00Alonzo MourningCenter United StatesMiami Heat
2000–01Dikembe MutomboCenter DR CongoPhiladelphia 76ers
2001–02Ben WallaceCenter United StatesDetroit Pistons
2002–03Ben WallaceCenter United StatesDetroit Pistons (4)
2003–04Ron ArtestSmall forward United StatesIndiana Pacers
2004–05Ben WallaceCenter United StatesDetroit Pistons
2005–06Ben WallaceCenter United StatesDetroit Pistons
2006–07Marcus CambyCenter United StatesDenver Nuggets
2007–08Kevin GarnettPower forward United StatesBoston Celtics
2008–09Dwight HowardCenter United StatesOrlando Magic
2009–10Dwight HowardCenter United StatesOrlando Magic
2010–11Dwight HowardCenter United StatesOrlando Magic
2011–12Tyson ChandlerCenter United StatesNew York Knicks
2012–13Marc GasolCenter SpainMemphis Grizzlies
2013–14Joakim NoahCenter FranceChicago Bulls
2014–15Kawhi LeonardSmall forward United StatesSan Antonio Spurs
2015–16Kawhi LeonardSmall forward United StatesSan Antonio Spurs
2016–17Draymond GreenPower forward United StatesGolden State Warriors
2017–18Rudy GobertCenter FranceUtah Jazz
2018–19Rudy GobertCenter FranceUtah Jazz
2019–20Giannis AntetokounmpoPower forward GreeceMilwaukee Bucks
2020–21Rudy GobertCenter FranceUtah Jazz
2021–22Marcus SmartPoint guard United StatesBoston Celtics
2022–23Jaren Jackson Jr.Power forward United StatesMemphis Grizzlies

FAQ's On Defensive Player of the Year Winner List

A. Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace share the record for the most wins, each earning the award four times.

A. Several non-American players have won the award, including Hakeem Olajuwon, Marcus Camby, Marc Gasol, and Rudy Gobert.

A. The Detroit Pistons have had the most players win the award, with Ben Wallace winning it four times and Dennis Rodman winning twice while with the team.

A. While guards have won the award, it's more common for centers and forwards to receive the honor due to their defensive presence in the paint.

A. Yes, Hakeem Olajuwon achieved this feat in the 1993-1994 NBA season, winning both awards while playing for the Houston Rockets.

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