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Dewayne Dedmon, Center, San Antonio Spurs

If playing time weren't a concern, Dewayne Dedmon would be a serious challenger to a certain teammate's spot atop the DPOY heap.

Since stepping into the San Antonio Spurs' starting lineup at the end of January, Dedmon has held his foes to 40.8 percent shooting around the rim—a mark that would lead the league over the course of the season. Trouble is, the Lancaster, California, native has averaged 25.3 minutes per game during that time and a mere 17.5 minutes overall this season.

Still, that he's San Antonio's top option at center, even with Pau Gasol healthy again, says everything about how bright a future he has ahead of him in the Alamo City.

Hassan Whiteside, Center, Miami Heat

Hassan Whiteside hasn't been quite the same shot-blocking behemoth this season as he was in 2015-16, when he led the league with 3.7 swats per contest. But that doesn't mean he's been any less effective on defense.

He's held opponents to 47.1 percent shooting at the hoop and ripped down an NBA-best 10.5 defensive rebounds per game while serving as the backbone of a Miami Heat defense that ranks sixth in efficiency.

Chris Paul/DeAndre Jordan, Point Guard/Center, Los Angeles Clippers

As the anchors of the Los Angeles Clippers' inconsistent defense, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan both have imperfect fringe cases to make for DPOY.

Paul has been arguably the best and most important defender in L.A. this season. He ranks fifth overall in defensive real plus/minus and sports the most dramatic on/off defensive difference of any Clippers regular. But Paul has missed 21 games to injury so far.

Jordan, on the other hand, has been in the lineup every night, intimidating foes to the tune of 10.1 defensive rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

Without Paul next to Jordan, though, the Clippers have surrendered an unsightly 112.3 points per 100 possessions. With those two together, L.A. has dominated to the tune of 98.2 points per 100 possessions.