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APP ONLY: Shutdown Corner?

    by John Smallwood
    Published 

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I understand the Sixers push to get Andre Iguodala recognize as a First-Team All-Defensive Team.

And considering last year's first team was Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Rajon Rando and Gerald Wallace, Iguodala may have a shot.

But I can't get with the Sixers for pushing for Iguodala as Defensive Player of the Year.

The last player under 6-foot-9 to win the award was Ron Artest when he was with the Indiana Pacers in 2003-04. Before that it was Gary "The Glove" Payton with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1995-96.

Since the award was created in 1982-83, it's been awarded to a player under 6-9 just nine times, with Sidney Moncrief and Dennis Rodman each winning it twice. Michael Jordan who was a nine-time All-Defensive First Team won defensive player of the year just once.

Unless your a legitimate big man who can shut off the lane, the only way to be Defensive Player of the Year is to be an absolute lock-down defender.

Iguodala has had some good defensive games agaisnt top scorers like Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Martin, but he's also been toasted by big-time scorers like James, Kevin Durant and Danny Granger.

Artest, Rodman, Payton, Moncrief, Jordan, Los Angeles Laker Michael Cooper and San Antonio Spur Alvin Robetsonis had unbelievable defensive seasons that were clearly above those of centers. Iguodala has not.