Marcus Camby's Defensive Player of the Year Award: Undeserved?

@id_pop (293)
Philippines
April 29, 2007 1:11pm CST
Make no mistake, I'm in awe of Marcus Camby's defensive numbers this season (leading the league with more than 3 blocks a game and second only to Kevin Garnett in defensive rebounds per game), but does he deserve the award? It's not just about the other names thrown in there (Ben Wallace, Shawn Marion, Josh Howard, among others), but it's about the Denver Nuggets' overall defensive performance. The Nuggets are fifth worst in points allowed per game, and given that statistic, I have to say that yeah, maybe Camby shouldn't get the award. After all, he's on one of the worst defensive NBA teams. Is it possible that whatever defensive production his teammates are unable to provide, he just eats up and adds to his stat sheet? That's possible, since already three of his teammates are best known for their offense, namely Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and JR Smith. Who else could he rely on to help him on defense? I could only think of one other player, and that's Nene. Steve Blake, Eduardo Najera, and Linus Kleiza's defense I still have doubts about. But anyway, given that, do you think Marcus Camby is rightfully this season's Defensive Player of the year? And if not, who should have the award instead?
3 responses
Makoy1983
@Makoy1983 (1084)
• Philippines
29 Apr 07
numbers and statwise, i think marcus camby really deserve it. camby is one of the most effective defenders in the nba right now, but yes, you're right, denver is not one of those defensive talented teams.
1 person likes this
id_pop
@id_pop (293)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
They're not really that defensively talented, but I forgot to mention that one of the major reasons why they're giving up that many points per game is because they're running high speed offense, hence the shorter possession time and more points scored for both teams.
akopoto
@akopoto (177)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
Well, I admit that defense is not denver's forte but I really think Camby deserve it basing on individual stats. His defensive dominance might have been overshadowed by the lackluster defense of his teammates that's why others don't this he deserve the award. He's really a tough defender to reckon. Other's might be deserving to but hands down to Camby because he made his defense be felt in denver basketball. He doesn't care how much he score, he only cares for how he defend the basket.
id_pop
@id_pop (293)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
Yeah, that's right. His primary concern all season long was to get the ball on the defensive end off rebounds and swat his opponents' ball away from the ring. And I have already given the statistics to back it up; he truly was brilliant this year on at least one end of the court. He was one of this season's scariest players one could go up against near the basket.
tina031786
@tina031786 (38)
• United States
12 Oct 07
the stat is never wrong! I think he definitely deserve it, as the award is rated on individual performance, not a team performance. Kobe won the award in scoring last season because he scored the highest points. Everyone has a role for the team, and he did a good job playing his spot, so he definitely deserve it.