MMPG: Defensive Player of the Year

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Just gimme that. (AP Photo/Jeffrey M. Boan)

Dwight Howard just became the fifth player in NBA history to lead the league in both blocked shots (2.92) and rebounds (13.9), joining an elite fraternity that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ben Wallace. He will go down as the youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in blocked shots (23 years, 128 days) and he recently became the youngest to get 5,000 rebounds. Howard's presence was a primary reason the Magic ranked third in the league in field goal percentage defense, providing an intimidating interior presence. Howard lost out on the Slam Dunk contest to little Nate Robinson, but he deserves at least one piece of hardware this season.

Others in consideration: Shane Battier, Houston Rockets; Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics; LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers.