Dwight Howard youngest Defensive Player of the Year winner ever
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, who led the NBA in rebounds and blocks, won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award. At 23 years old, he became the youngest winner of the award ever.
Howard received 105 (of a possible 119) first-place votes and received 542 points in the voting. LeBron James finished second with 148 points and Dwayne Wade finished third with 90 points.
Howard received 105 (of a possible 119) first-place votes and received 542 points in the voting. LeBron James finished second with 148 points and Dwayne Wade finished third with 90 points.
"To be the defensive player of the year at 23 is remarkable," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "To be a great defensive player usually comes later in a career. And he still has so much room for improvement."Howard also becomes only the fifth player ever to lead the NBA in rebounds and blocks in the same season. The other four are Ben Wallace, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
"I really appreciate those guys [his teammates] for allowing their man to get to the basket to give me the opportunity to get blocks," Howard joked.
