This year’s NBA award voting will go down to the wire, that’s for sure.
The race between Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid for MVP will be one for the ages, but it won’t be the only voting that could raise some controversy.
According to NBA Central, four out of seven leaked voters have chosen the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley for Defensive Player of the Year, with Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) taking the other votes.
Some leaked votes for DPOY 👀
(Via https://t.co/oeOyCewnLJ) pic.twitter.com/CFIFFOlrwn
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 10, 2023
Surprisingly, no one has voted for Brook Lopez or Nic Claxton, two of the apparent front-runners according to most fans, analysts, and oddsmakers.
There’s no denying that Mobley has done more than enough merits to be a part of the conversation.
He’s an elite rim protector, a guy who can also hold his own in the perimeter, and the defensive anchor on one of the best defenses in the league.
Nonetheless, the fans weren’t exactly thrilled about this leaked voting and took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the matter.
I’m with Ja, ain’t no way this is real 😂
— Jeff Lightsy Jr. (@jlightsy7) April 10, 2023
My DPOY pic.twitter.com/4jjdeXRl1x
— Basic.yair (@Basicyair) April 10, 2023
mobley dpoy… pic.twitter.com/iSqbVo3yt0
— ⭐Terron. fan of sports (4-4) (@TerronBackup) April 10, 2023
How is Nic Claxton not on here ? pic.twitter.com/2boTF4mn6O
— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) April 10, 2023
Draymond pic.twitter.com/q6sVhESC7N
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) April 10, 2023
The NBA is full of talent, so there will always be at least one player who’s snubbed per season; that’s just the way it is.
Being the Defensive Player of the Year doesn’t necessarily mean the player is the best defender on Earth.
If that were the case, then Tim Duncan would’ve won at least 10 of those.
But hey, if you’re rooting for someone else, worry not, as there’s still a chance the rest of the voters turn the tables.
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