DeAndre Jordan finishes 3rd in Defensive Player Of The Year Voting

DeAndre Jordan for the 2nd year running finished 3rd in DPOY voting. Depending on how you view matters this may been seen as a downright snub or in the eyes of some the correct placement. Either way, it cannot be denied DeAndre simply cemented himself as one of the leagues premier defensive centers this season in some may think he deserved more than another 3rd place finish behind the winner Kawhi Leonard and runner up Draymond Green.

Kawhi finished with 333 points in voting to win the award although he was second in 1st place votes to Golden State's Draymond Green. Kawhi became the 1st perimeter player to win the award since Ron Artest (Metta World-Peace) in 2004.

While DeAndre had many supporters for him to win the award nobody was behind him more than Clippers head coach Doc Rivers who had endless praise to heap on DJ.

Via Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles

He’s clearly the defensive player of the year,” Rivers said Sunday. “If anybody else gets that award, we need to have an investigation. … What he’s doing defensively, if he was doing that offensively, he would be recognized as the MVP or one of them, but because it’s defense, no one notices.”

This high praise was similarly echoed by Clippers point guard Chris Paul who talked about DeAndre's defensive plays that don't show on the stat sheet.

"You look at the stat sheet and you don't see how many times Aaron Brooks didn't drive because D.J. was there or how many shots where guys went up and they passed it. That doesn't show up on the stat sheet."

Additionally, Jordan received heavy endorsement about his defensive impact from NBA coaches Scott Brooks and Byron Scoot, something other candidates never received.

"if he doesn't win the award we may need an investigation" said Rivers.

Unfortunately, Doc may need to have one after all since this year wasn't the one when DJ finally made the push that got him the award even though in the eyes of many he was worthy. Me personally and many other Clipper fans probably share the belief that he will get his hands on the trophy eventually but it seems this year wasn't meant to be for DeAndre Jordan.