NBA Playoffs 2012: The Most Valuable Defensive Enforcers

They aren't going to score a lot of points for you. Their free throw shooting can truly stink, and don't expect any of them to become exceptional passers anytime soon.

And still, these NBA defensive enforcers who crash the boards, block shots and provide relentless energy to teammates are essential to advancing in the playoffs. Here are the top five defensive enforcers thus far in the 2012 NBA playoffs.

Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder

A beast averaging close to four blocked shots a game in the 2012 playoffs, Ibaka is also giving Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol fits in the paint during Round 2 of the NBA playoffs. Gasol's only averaging a paltry 12 points per game against the Thunder, who lead the series 3-1, and a big part of that is Ibaka's defensive tenacity.

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are dubbed OKC's Big Three, but if defensive personnel were given more credit in the NBA, the media would make room for Ibaka in a Big Four grouping.

Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

The 7'2" Hibbert has proven to be one of the NBA's premiere shot blockers, posting just under four a game in the 2012 playoffs. Hibbert posted a five-block performance in Indiana's Game 3 win against the Heat in a hotly contested Round 2 that's tied at two games apiece.

A restricted free agent in this summer, Hibbert is essential to the Pacers' grinding defense-orientated schemes and should receive a nice multi-year contract to stay in Indiana. 

JaVale McGee, Denver Nuggets

Earlier in the year, McGee was acquired from the Wizards for Nene in what at the time was considered a questionable trade. In the playoffs, McGee silenced doubters by giving Andrew Bynum all sorts of problems in a tight seven-game series against the Lakers.

McGee averaged three blocked shots a game and 10 rebounds in the Round 1 loss. McGee's athleticism is tremendous, and if his performance against the Lakers gleans a high basketball IQ, he may be an All-Star reserve two years from now. 

Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets

Faried made Lakers forward Pau Gasol's life miserable in the first round of the playoffs. The 6'8" Faried maybe a little undersized for his position, but his positional awareness in the post have some comparing him to Dennis Rodman.

Faried amassed four 10-plus rebound performances in Denver's 4-3 first round playoff loss to the Lakers. With Faried and McGee anchoring Denver's frontcourt defense, the future looks very bright for the young, dynamic Nuggets squad.

Reggie Evans, Los Angeles Clippers

The 31-year-old NBA journeyman gets the fifth slot because without him, the Clippers would not have made the second round of the playoffs. With Blake Griffin hurt for the latter half of an extremely physical seven game series against the Grizzlies, Evans' three double-digit rebound performances and surprising levels of energy were essential in helping the Clippers attain a spot in the second round of the playoffs.