Clint Capela is no longer in his prime, and the suspect condition of the Hawks franchise has done his reputation no favors. But, there still aren’t many superior rim protectors. Capela’s quick feet and explosive vertical leaping make him a dominant player inside five feet of the rim. He still dominates the glass and finishes countless lobs.
The Nets’ sudden pivot toward mediocrity might harm Nic Claxton’s case for Defensive Player of the Year, but he is a clear frontrunner right now. A whirlwind athlete who can fly around the court with impressive mobility for his size, Claxton is the anchor of one of the NBA’s most underrated defenses. He’s also getting more adventurous as a scorer, facing up and attacking from the elbow with frequent success.
Myles Turner is a strong candidate to lead the NBA in blocked shots any given year. The Pacers rewarded him with a shiny contract extension ahead of the trade deadline. He has gotten to explore the exert of his offensive repertoire more than ever post-Sabonis trade, and the results have been largely positive.