Updated Favorites for NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

More times than not, NBA viewers will base the quality of a player off of his offensive production. Although this is a way to gauge one's impact, the defensive end of the floor has always been the area where grit outshines stardom.

So who are the favorites for this year's NBA Defensive Player of the Year award?

Most of these players are limited offensively. Some are so well-rounded that they may be at the top of your list based off star power alone.

Regardless of why you support the following players, they all deserve recognition. So who is the most deserving in 2012-13?

Honorable Mention: Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers

Position: Center

Age: 27

Experience: 8 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 98.6

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 102.5

2012-13 Season Statistics

20.52 PER, 17.8 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.6 BPG, 1.1 SPG

In terms of pure talent, Dwight Howard remains the most dominant defensive force in the NBA.

Unfortunately, this isn't about one's reputation or what they've done in the past. It is about the present day.

Right now, Howard's Los Angeles Lakers have one of the worst scoring defenses in basketball.

Statistically, Howard is performing at the level expected of him. With averages of 11.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.1 steals, it becomes very difficult to argue against Howard being first overall in these rankings.

As any who have watched the Lakers will tell you, however, Howard's lack of help on D has lessened his impact. It is drawing Howard out of position and forcing him to miss out on the plays that have made him a defensive legend.

This has led to a career-worst average of 3.8 personal fouls per game.

Should the Lakers turn things around defensively, there is no reason to believe Howard won't win his fourth career Defensive Player of the Year award. Until that happens, however, we cannot allow reputation to play a factor.

This is all about what you're doing right now.

10. Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 30

Experience: 8 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 87.0

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 92.0

2012-13 Season Statistics

10.46 PER, 24.8 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG

Widely considered to be the top perimeter defender in the NBA, Tony Allen has been at it again.

Allen's Memphis Grizzlies presently rank second in the NBA in scoring defense. They're also second in turnovers forced per game.

With Allen and Mike Conley combining for 4.4 steals, it isn't too difficult to see where that influence is coming from.

One may be inclined to give Conley the award, as he is averaging 2.5 steals and continuing to give elite point guards fits. The fact of the matter is, Allen has made life easier for every single defender on the team.

Keeping the elite scorers of the NBA at bay is no easy task. Allen has managed to do it.

With Allen on the floor, Memphis is allowing 87.0 points per 48 minutes. When he's on the bench, they're allowing an average of 92.0 points per 48.

Still elite, but a five-point difference.

9. Larry Sanders, Milwaukee Bucks

Position: Center

Age: 24

Experience: 2 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 90.0

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 101.3

2012-13 Season Statistics

17.81 PER, 24.7 MPG, 7.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.1 BPG, 0.9 SPG

Already a prime candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year, Larry Sanders has become the most dominant defensive force in basketball. Just check the numbers.

For the season, Sanders is averaging a league-leading 3.08 blocks per game. He's also averaging 8.3 rebounds per contest.

In just 24.7 minutes per game.

Serge Ibaka is tied with Sanders at 3.08, but in a far less impressive way. Sanders is averaging an NBA-high 5.88 blocks and 13.5 rebounds per 48 minutes.

Ibaka sits at 4.65 swats and 10.4 boards per 48.

Furthermore, Sanders is averaging 0.9 steals per contest. Ibaka is picking up just 0.2.

What these statistics prove is that Sanders is the same player as Ibaka, only more productive. Keep in mind, it was Ibaka who finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12.

Unfortunately, Sanders is averaging just 24.7 minutes per game. Until that changes, we can't hand him this award.

8. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Experience: 7 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 93.8

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 85.6

2012-13 Season Statistics

26.54 PER, 32.9 MPG, 16.1 PPG, 9.6 APG, 3.6 RPG, 2.7 SPG

Chris Paul is on pace to lead the league in steals at 2.7 per game. It would be the fifth time in six years that he finished atop the steals category.

CP3 is a candidate—a primary candidate.

Paul's efforts on the defensive end have been infectious, leading the Clippers to become the fourth-ranked scoring defense in the league. They ranked 13th just one year ago.

Paul's guidance, Eric Bledsoe's energy and DeAndre Jordan's interior prowess all deserve praise. CP3's leadership just so happens to be key.

Much like Tyson Chandler in 2011-12, Paul has transformed the identity of his team. No longer are they looking for the highlight, but instead, searching for the best way to make a stop.

It is this approach that forces a league-high 17.4 turnovers per game and breeds Paul's candidacy.

7. Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks

Position: Center

Age: 30

Experience: 11 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 97.7

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 96.8

2012-13 Season Statistics

22.56 PER, 12.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 0.9 BPG, 0.8 SPG

One year ago, I would have placed Tyson Chandler at the top of this list. Unfortunately, Chandler isn't the most significant influence on an elite defense.

Not anymore.

After starting slow in November, Tyson Chandler has rebounded in the second month of the season.

Going from 8.7 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 0.7 steals to 11.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals proves that.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year can't help but find himself included in these rankings.

Even as the New York Knicks defense has faltered in December, they've managed to win 9-of-12 games. They've done so by making the key defensive stops whenever the game is on the line.

You can guess who has done that.

6. LeBron James, Miami Heat

Position: Forward

Age: 27

Experience: 9 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 97.5

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 95.3

2012-13 Season Statistics

29.15 PER, 25.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG

With LeBron James on the floor, the Miami Heat are allowing 97.5 points per 48 minutes.

When he's on the bench, they're allowing  95.3 points per 48.

With that being said, Miami is allowing just 89.5 points per game during LeBron's infamous "no foul" streak.

This isn't subjective, they're just numbers. And numbers never lie.

For those who believe LeBron should be higher, understand that one's influence is as important as their versatility. Thus far, Miami's team defense has lacked the necessary consistency.

LBJ will move up this list, it's just a matter of improvement.

With James playing small forward in 2011-12, the Heat ranked fourth in the NBA by averaging 92.5 points allowed per game. With LBJ at power forward in 2012-13, Miami ranks 15th at 97.4 points per contest.

Even if he isn't to blame, James' influence has not been felt—yet.

James will team with a now healthy Dwyane Wade to provide a much more consistent defensive approach. With his versatility to play both forward positions, LeBron will inevitably receive praise as a top defender.

Unfortunately, these are "right-now" rankings. As of this moment, LeBron's Heat are not the hottest defensive unit.

A severe statistical decline doesn't help James, either.

5. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Power Forward

Age: 23

Experience: 3 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 94.5

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 97.2

2012-13 Season Statistics

19.68 PER, 31.8 MPG, 14.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.1 BPG

Chances are, Serge Ibaka will be a defensive player of the year candidate for the next decade.

Ibaka is back at his usual ways, swatting each and every shot that comes his way. Proof lies in the numbers, as Ibaka has 15 different games with at least three blocks.

He has five games with at least five swats.

Ibaka's shot-altering ways have played a major role in the Thunder ranking 11th in scoring defense. It's a number that is better than some should expect, as their up-tempo style has begun to poke holes in their defensive interior.

The regression of Kendrick Perkins has also done the same.

Even still, Ibaka is altering shots whenever need be. Sometimes, he even does it just to send a message to the opponent.

He's a primary candidate, if there ever was one.

4. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Position: Forward

Age: 27

Experience: 8 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 92.1

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 95.1

2012-13 Season Statistics

17.46 PER, 16.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.1 BPG, 1.4 SPG

If we're going to praise LeBron James for playing two positions defensively, Josh Smith deserves that same recognition. In fact, Smith deserves higher praise than James in that area.

The numbers tell it all.

While James averages 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks as a hybrid forward, Smith has posted 1.4 steals and 2.1 blocks. This comes as head coach Larry Drew flashes Smith between small and power forward.

Dwight Howard is the only other player in the NBA to average at least two blocks and one steal simultaneously.

This has led to the Hawks performing at a much higher level than expected. They rank fifth in the NBA in scoring defense and third in turnovers forced per game.

Atlanta is allowing 92.1 points per 48 with Smith on the floor and 95.1 when he's on the bench. Enough said.

Unfortunately for Smith, James can also defend the other three positions on the floor. Even still, "J-Smoove" continues to be one of the most dominant defensive players in the game.

A true defensive player of the year candidate—one whom the voters will inevitably overlook and one who deserves to win the award.

3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Position: Power Forward

Age: 36

Experience: 15 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 93.9

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 99.6

2012-13 Season Statistics

25.19 PER, 17.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.5 BPG, 0.9 SPG

When Tim Duncan is on the floor, the San Antonio Spurs are allowing 93.9 points per 48 minutes. When he is not, they're allowing 99.6.

Enough said. But we'll keep talking.

Duncan is averaging 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 0.9 steals per game. Dwight Howard is the only other player to average at least 10.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.

Most impressive of all, Duncan's only committing 1.8 fouls per game.

What this provides evidence to is the fact that Duncan is both dominant and responsible.

This is why he ranks first in the NBA in blocks per personal foul, at 1.45 per. The second-ranked player is Brook Lopez at 1.10.

As players such as Serge Ibaka and Larry Sanders get by on athleticism, Duncan has done it with timing, positioning and patience.

Who would have thought that it'd take the 13-time All-Defense selection 16 years to gain Defensive Player of the Year recognition?

2. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

Position: Center

Age: 26

Experience: 4 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 88.6

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 89.2

2012-13 Season Statistics

14.98 PER, 28.6 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.9 BPG, 0.7 SPG

Roy Hibbert ranks third in the NBA in blocks per game and anchors the league's top-ranked scoring defense. What's your argument?

Didn't think so.

Hibbert may have started slow offensively, but he's been phenomenal defensively.

Not only is he averaging 2.9 blocks per contest, but he's the leading rebounder on a team that ranks second in the NBA in said area.

Once again, Hibbert is the primary influence on the top scoring defense in the league.

Hibbert is the only player on the Pacers to average at least one block. Only one player is averaging at least one steals.

How many more ways must it be said? Hibbert is the top defender on the top defense.

Considering his interior partner is David West, his dominance is all the more impressive feat. Danny Granger's injury certainly doesn't help, either.

Hibbert has been phenomenal. So who could possibly be better?

1. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

Position: Center

Age: 27

Experience: 5 Seasons

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Floor): 88.9

Points Allowed Per 48 (On Bench): 98.9

2012-13 Season Statistics

18.09 PER, 13.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.2 BPG, 1.4 SPG

With Joakim Noah on the floor, the Chicago Bulls are allowing an average of 88.9 points per 48 minutes. When he's on the bench, that number rises to 98.9.

A 10-point differential for a team that ranks third in scoring defense. Noah is a top candidate, whether you like him or not.

The 2.2 blocks, 1.4 steals and an unparalleled influence prove just that.

The Bulls go from the top defense in the league to a helpless one when Noah leaves the floor. This is a major reason he's averaging 39.9 minutes per game, as head coach Tom Thibodeau is well aware of Noah's influence.

And the severe dropoff when he's absent.

Furthermore, Noah has taken over the role of "ultimate agitator" from Kevin Garnett. His late-game fiasco with Tyson Chandler proves just that (via YouTube).

Chandler's praise for Noah after the scuffle is of equal importance (via YouTube).