So, the buzz is growing around Kevin Durant’s candidacy for Defensive Player of the Year. I wrote an in-depth analysis of Durant’s case, using narrative, advanced statistics and video study at BBallBreakdown. Here are some highlights from the piece plus a movie of Durant’s defense on Christmas.

And here is the video!

KD's Xmas Defense Is KD the Defensive Player of the Year so far? Here's a Christmas sampler of Durant’s defense from the Cavaliers-Warriors game. You’ll see the highs of elite defense against post-ups and isolation, thrilling weak-side help defense, and the lows of sloppy switches and softness in defensive rebounding. Sometimes all in one play. Posted by Golden State of Mind on Thursday, January 4, 2018

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There is some harmony between the story from the numbers and from the video. This is also early in his second year in the unusually switch-heavy Warriors’ defense, so expect continuing improvement in his team defensive contribution as he matures in it. Durant said he’s only started to see himself as an elite defensive player since coming to the Warriors, and this mentality will likely continue pushing his growth. Kevin Durant has elite aspects to his defensive game with some issues lessening his team impact. He is an intimidating rim protector who can instantly counterattack on a block or steal. He can bang with large players in the post, and his agility and length let him stay with smaller drivers. This is a key part to the Warriors’ switching defensive scheme, and he’s the leading blocker in a great defense. So KD would be a reasonable DPOY. However, there are other players worthy of more consideration than they’re getting, and who deserve a longer article....

Final Tweet Thoughts

Partly thought out take: KD on defense is to Dray as KD on offense is to Steph. Spectacular complement to a game-breaking captain doing unsung work, who's worn down from three long playoff runs. — Eric Apricot (@EricApricot) December 29, 2017

Absolutely, what a marvel of a b-ball player. And to have KD not need to be the alpha in either phase is really excellent for the team. — Eric Apricot (@EricApricot) December 29, 2017

Poll

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