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2018-19 NBA End-of-Season Awards: LA Clippers Edition

By Cannon Wonderlich

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 27: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 27, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 27: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 27, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images /

Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Beverley

This is one of the easier awards to give. Patrick Beverley isn’t the most consistent player on offense, but he makes his money by annoying the beejeebies out of whoever he guards.

In their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Beverley owned a good chunk of real estate in Kevin Durant’s head. He managed to get both himself and the reigning two-time Finals MVP ejected in Game 1, then bothered Durant enough in Game 2 to only shoot eight shots. Beverley’s defensive hounding played a big role in the Clippers historic 31-point comeback in Game 2, and it will be a big factor of any success in the near future.

Beverley isn’t a traditional choice for this award. The last guard to win it was Gary Payton in 1996, whose defense led his SuperSonics. In the 22 DPOY awards since then, 17 have gone to centers.

However, the Clippers no longer have a real rim defender. DeAndre Jordan went AWOL this last summer and since then, the likes of Marcin Gortat, Ivica Zubac, Boban Marjanovic, and Montrezl Harrell have filled up the paint. None of these guys are known for their shot-blocking prowess, which is why the Clippers were ranked 22nd in the regular season in blocks per game.

The team relies on Beverley to defend the opposing team’s best offensive player, and he does it exceptionally. Mark Twain once said, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Beverley embodies this. His 6’1 frame may be overshadowed by an opponent like Kevin Durant at 7’0, but you can count on Mr. 94 Feet to put pressure on the offense anywhere on the floor.

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