Previous Pacer winner: Ron Artest (2004).
So much goes into being a great defender that it nearly defies statistical analysis. Blocked shots is one form of measurement. So is steals. But how do you place a statistic on a player's ability to stay in front of his man and prevent penetration? What about giving weakside help? Or communicating? How much does an opposing player's point total even reflect a defender's performance given how often teams switch on screens in today's NBA?
One thing's for sure, though: blocked shots count for a lot, and that makes Myles Turner a legitimate candidate to win this year's Defensive Player of the Year award.