Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard in 3-D: Wins Third Straight Defensive POY Award

According to ESPN and league sources, Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard has become the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive defensive player of the year awards.

Always know for his tenacious D, Howard was second in the league in rebounds averaging 14.1 rebounds, was also second in the NBA in blocks averaging 2.3 per game and also averaged a 1.3 steals per game—which was a career high for the Orlando big-man.

Howard has also raised his offensive game up a notch, at times carrying his team to victories by himself. Averaging 22.9 points a game—which is up form his career average of 18.2 points per game— and shot 59 percent from he field up from his career average of just over 57 percent.

If it wasn't for Derrick Rose's break-out season, Howard would be the clear-cut favorite to win the NBA's MVP award this season.

He has proved his worth even though the Magic have lost five games when he scores 31 points or more. Those games might have been really ugly for the Magic if they were without Howard in the mix.

Though he is expected to miss-out of the MVP award this season, he should find himself on the first team All NBA  later this season when the team is announced.

Look for the official announcement on Howard winning the DPOY at 1:20 p.m. EST.