10 Perimeter Players Who Could Win Defensive Player of the Year

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award was created in 1982 with the purpose of recognizing the elite competitors on the end of the floor that many had forgotten existed.

With the Showtime Lakers and Larry Bird Celtics running up the score, the NBA sought out to prove that they recognized the quality of the game in every facet of it.

Through the first six years of the award's existence, five winners were perimeter players. Sidney Moncrief won the first two years of the award, with Alvin Robertson, Michael Cooper and Michael Jordan following in his footsteps.

After MJ took home the gold in 1988, however, everything changed.

Since '88, just two perimeter players have taken home the award. For those counting, that's a mere two times in 24 years that a point guard, shooting guard or small forward has won Defensive Player of the Year.

Those two players were point guard Gary Payton in 1996 and small forward Ron Artest in 2004.

This has signaled a change in direction for the NBA's perception of defensive game-changers. No longer are the players who lock down perimeter scorers gaining respect, as the interior shot blockers and enforcers take the glory for defensive success.

With all of this being noted, hope is not lost for the perimeter players of today. There are more than a handful of elite perimeter defenders that alter the outcome of games in similar ways to their interior counterparts.

For the following 10 players, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award is a serious possibility before their career is done.

Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 30

Experience: Eight Seasons

Is it possible that the best perimeter defender of our generation will one day retire without winning the Defensive Player of the Year award? Unfortunately, it is.

But that doesn't mean that Allen can't walk away with the award he righteously deserves before it's all said and done.

Allen has made his name as the game's best perimeter defender for roughly half a decade. In that time, he has been tasked with defending the best perimeter scorers that this league has to offer on a nightly basis.

As a result, Allen has become one of the most clutch players in the game without even getting his hands on the ball.

From a statistical standpoint, Allen remains a phenomenal producer. He finished fifth in the league with 1.8 steals per game and third amongst qualified players with 3.27 steals per 48 minutes. His 0.73 steal-to-personal foul ratio displays how responsible he is with the steal attempts.

The true definition of Tony Allen, however, ranges well beyond the stat sheet. Instead, it's the crisp fundamentals that exceed that of any player we've seen since the days of Scottie Pippen and Gary Payton.

Allen's greatest strength is the way he moves his hips. Most players attempt to stay in front of their opponent but bail out at the first sign of a drive. Allen, however, has the perfect shift in his hips to cut off a slashing attempt.

From there, it's his phenomenal footwork, active but responsible hands and impenetrable poise that makes Allen one of the greatest perimeter defenders of all-time. Allen's consecutive Top Six finishes in the voting process suggest he's close.

But can Tony Allen make the leap and win the award he rightfully deserves?

2011-12 Season Averages

15.70 PER, 26.3 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.8 SPG

Andre Iguodala, Denver Nuggets

Position: Guard/Forward

Age: 28

Experience: Eight Seasons

Andre Iguodala has made his name known across the NBA as one of the best all-around defenders in the game today. It's why he was a part of Team USA during the London Olympics and an NBA All-Star in 2012.

The athletic wonder will now be able to put that ability on full display with a young Denver Nuggets team that enters the 2012-13 NBA season with high expectations.

The greatest deficiency of the Nuggets in 2011-12 was their inability to prevent baskets. Despite scoring a league-high 104.1 points per game, Denver finished at a strong but not spectacular 38-28. A major reason why was the fact that the team allowed 101.2 points per contest.

The second-highest total in the league.

This tale of two ends made the Nuggets a polarizing team whose youth and inexperience shined through far too often to find legitimate success. With Andre Iguodala on the perimeter, however, that number should decrease and the team's win-loss record will improve accordingly.

Much like Tyson Chandler found with the New York Knicks, that type of turnaround can be more than enough to garner votes for Defensive Player of the Year. If it's not, Andre Iguodala has a few more years in his prime to grab an award.

Whether or not he does, however, depends on how well Iggy's team plays.

2011-12 Season Averages

17.59 PER, 12.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.7 SPG

LeBron James, Miami Heat

Position: Small Forward

Age: 27

Experience: Nine Seasons

Could this list truly be constructed without LeBron James' name on it?

Although his defensive versatility is often overstated, there is something to be said about James' ability to play all five positions. Although he is not elite as an interior stopper, he is sound enough that the perimeter master can be referred to as the most well-rounded defender in the game.

At 6'8" and 260 pounds, it's not too difficult to see why.

The most overwhelming physical specimen in NBA history has proven himself worthy of the recognition he receives as a perimeter and transition menace. His combination of size, quickness and strength makes him a virtual impossibility for a ball-handler to overcome.

The fact that he can chase even the fastest of players down for one of his signature chase-down blocks only adds athletic fuel to the fire.

Considering James finished fourth in the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year voting, it's safe to say that he has his fair share of support. With another phenomenal season and a slight increase to his 0.8 block per game numbers from 2012, the case for his first career Defensive Player of the Year award could be made.

As we've all learned, it is never of great reward to underestimate LeBron James. Don't think he can't win this award.

2011-12 Season Averages

30.80 PER, 27.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats

Position: Small Forward

Age: 19

Experience: Rookie 

As a rookie, it's clear that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will not win this award. As his career progresses, however, expect MKG to be at the forefront of the perimeter players competing for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Kidd-Gilchrist has an awe-inspiring motor that has made him a favorite for every coach he has ever had. He hustles on both ends of the floor and is more than willing to do the "dirty work" that your average player would refrain from.

He can lock down an opponent on the perimeter as well as any player in the league. He can also defend a big in the post. Versatility is the name of MKG's game and that's exactly why he's a prime candidate to win DPOY.

But what is it that separates him from other versatile defenders?

MKG stands at 6'8" and has a marvelous 7'0" wingspan. He runs the floor as well as any guard, has the upper body strength of any power forward and is one of the most responsible defenders at any age.

He rarely plays the passing lanes, as Kidd-Gilchrist would much rather find his balance and stay in front of his man. Although that will temper the shock value of his statistics, it will mean nothing for his reputation amongst voters.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will win the Defensive Player of the Year award before he retires. Even if he has to defeat former Kentucky teammate Anthony Davis to do so.

2011-12 Season Averages

N/A

Shawn Marion, Dallas Mavericks

Position: Small Forward

Age: 34

Experience: 13 Seasons

Shawn Marion is, arguably, the most underrated player in the NBA. Although he is well past his prime, Marion remains one of the most dominant and well-rounded defenders in the game today.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James would be the first two players to attest to said belief.

It was a team effort to keep LeBron under wraps during the 2011 NBA Finals. The individual player responsible for defending James, however, was none other than four-time All-Star Shawn Marion.

Marion forced James into 4.0 turnovers and 3.3 fouls per game, up from his regular season averages of 3.6 and 2.1. He also played a major role in closing out driving lanes, thus limiting James to an average of just 17.8 points a night.

That includes a Game 4 in which James shot just 3-of-11 from the floor and scored eight points.

One year later, Marion was stuck in a first round matchup with Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the first two games of that series, Durant shot just 15-of-44 from the floor, good for just 34.1 percent shooting.

He also forced Durant into nine turnovers during those first two games, as well as an additional five in Game 4.

This is exactly why Marion finished eighth in the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year voting. Well, that and the fact that the small forward posted an elite-level average of 7.4 rebounds per game.

A number that helped Marion finish third amongst players at his position in that category.

Although Marion has the smallest window of opportunity for any player on this list, there remains a great possibility that he takes home the gold. With Dirk Nowitzki sidelined for six weeks, Marion could build his reputation early and earn votes (via ESPN.com).

If the Mavericks overachieve, don't expect the praise to go anywhere else but 2011 NBA champion Shawn Marion.

2011-12 Season Averages

15.05 PER, 10.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 SPG

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Experience: Seven Seasons

When you lead the NBA in steals per game on four separate occasions, you can expect to find your name on this list.

Known for his all-around brilliance, Los Angeles Clippers superstar Chris Paul is a prime candidate for the next point guard to win Defensive Player of the Year. Although he would be the first point guard to win the award since Gary Payton in 1996, it is far from improbable to imagine.

Paul is far from the dominant physical specimen that Payton was, but he still changes games on the defensive end.

Not only has CP3 led the league in steals four times, but he has done so in four of the past five seasons. The one year which he failed to lead the league was 2010, when Paul played just 45 games due to the victory.

With that being said, his average of 2.4 steals per contest over that 45-game span would have led the league if qualified.

In other words, Chris Paul has been the best ball hawk in the NBA for five consecutive seasons. He will pad his stat sheet that way, find his name on every announcer's tongue and create points off of turnovers.

Despite standing at just 6'0" tall, CP3 is one of the biggest defensive game-changers in the NBA. For that reason, the pesky Paul is a legitimate threat to take home the Defensive Player of the Year award.

2011-12 Season Averages

27.09 PER, 19.8 PPG, 9.1 APG, 3.6 RPG, 2.5 SPG

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Position: Point Guard

Age: 26

Experience: Six Seasons

When you're a 6'1" point guard, the expectancy is that you will be delegated to defending your position. As history has shown us, that is not the case for one Rajon Rondo as the Boston Celtics consistently place him on a variety of position players.

That includes his memorable battles with 6'8" small forward LeBron James.

The reason for such an extraordinary level of trust has plenty to do with Rondo's physical measurements. His massive hands are met by an unheralded 6'9" wingspan. That's a full eight inches longer than the height he stands.

As John Brenkus of Sports Science will tell you, that isn't supposed to be physically possible. He'll also tell you that 9.5 inch long and 10.0 inch wide hands make Rondo all the more capable of the unthinkable.

With these physical gifts, Rondo becomes one of the most dangerous defenders in the game. He can pick an opponent's pocket as well as any other player at his position due to the size of his arms and hands, alone.

He can also defend taller players in the post due to an extraordinary center of gravity and thrives in defending without the ball in his hands. For that reason, Rondo will continue to garner votes for Defensive Player of the Year.

The fact that he is the leader of the Boston Celtics certainly doesn't hurt, either.

2011-12 Season Averages

17.55 PER, 11.9 PPG, 11.7 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG

Iman Shumpert, New York Knicks

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 22

Experience: One Season

As a rookie, Iman Shumpert received two third-place votes for the Defensive Player of the Year award. In this day and age, that is impressive due to the mere fact that Shumpert is a perimeter player.

As a shooting guard for the New York Knicks, many expected Shump to be buried amongst the likes of Landry Fields and J.R. Smith. The former Georgia Tech standout ended up being the star of the group, running Fields out of town as he stepped up as the team's best perimeter defender.

Paired with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler, the Knicks appear to have found the league's top high-low defensive attack.

During his rookie season, Shumpert averaged an impressive 1.71 steals per game. This placed him at seventh in the NBA and second to just Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves amongst all rookies.

Rubio's 2.2 steals per contest were impressive, but also came in 18 less games than Shumpert played. Although it would take a massive drop-off for the numbers to even out, Shump maintained his level of greatness for longer.

Until Rubio qualifies for statistical consideration, it is fair to say that Shumpert was the best ball hawk of any rookie in the league.

With all of this praise being noted, Shumpert must develop a more responsible approach as he progresses through his career. He averaged 2.9 fouls per game, which came as a result of an overzealous nature when attempting to swipe his opponent's pocket.

As long as he matures as expected, Shumpert should be an annual contender for the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

2011-12 Season Averages

10.83 PER, 9.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 SPG

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 30

Experience: Nine Seasons

After shooting the lights out during the 2012 NBA Finals, Shane Battier's popularity shot through the roof amongst NBA fans. What may have been lost in that process, however, was the fact that Battier is one of the top perimeter defenders in the league.

Unfortunately, Dwyane Wade is the second of two high-profile teammates that Battier would need to beat out if he wants to win this award. When paired with the factor of youth, I'll take D-Wade if my money goes on either player.

Although Wade has had his inconsistency on D, he's a statistical phenomenon who may just be the most clutch defender in the game. He comes up with steals and blocks when they're needed most and is the main contributor to the Heat's transition dominance.

The fact that he blocks jump shots like Dwight Howard swats layups is only further reason to get excited.

As for how statistically brilliant he is, let's compare him to teammate LeBron James. James, who is widely considered to be the most dominant perimeter defender in the game due to his size and athleticism, is a virtual reflection to D-Wade.

Don't believe it? Compare 6'8" LeBron's career averages of 1.9 steals and 0.8 blocks to that of 6'4" D-Wade's 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks.

If Serge Ibaka can finish second in the voting when he's all statistics and no fundamentals, D-Wade can win this award with some stats of his own.

2011-12 Season Averages

26.37 PER, 22.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG

Gerald Wallace, Brooklyn Nets

Position: Small Forward

Age: 30

Experience: 11 Seasons

With their high-profile move to Brooklyn, the Nets are almost certain to garner a great deal of headlines for any success they may find. In turn, at least one of their players is in store for recognition in the form of midseason or postseason awards.

With the All-Star appearances likely saved for Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, expect Gerald Wallace to be in the running for a separate individual honor.

Crash has long been considered as one of the top all-around defenders in the game. His career averages sit at 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, which is a great representation of what he has accomplished in his career.

Wallace has averaged at least 1.5 steals in eight of his 11 seasons in the league. He has hit 1.0 blocks another five times. Wallace has also topped 7.0 rebounds in five years, including 2010 when he averaged 10.1 per game for the Charlotte Bobcats.

This, of course, has all come as a 6'7" small forward.

As we enter the 2012-13 NBA season, expect Wallace to have great deal of pressure set upon him. Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries are solid players but neither offer much to marvel on the defensive end of things.

For that reason, one can expect Wallace to not only take on an opponent's best perimeter scorer, but even be delegated to low-post defense as well. His statistics will shine, the Nets will prosper and the acclaim for said improvements will fall on Wallace's broad shoulders.

If not this year, any season until he retires remains a legitimate possibility.

2011-12 Season Averages

15.98 PER, 13.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.5 SPG