Rajon Rondo: Defensive Player of the Year?

Chris Forsberg points out that Rondo is climbing ESPN's Award Watch.  He's up to 4th on their Defensive Player of the Year list.

4. Rajon Rondo, Celtics: It is easy to peg Rondo as a defender
who simply jumps passing lanes, but he shuts down opposing point guards
as well as anyone. (Last week: 5)

Josh Smith is at the top of their list, followed by Thabo Sefolosha, and a tie between Shane Battier and Gerald Wallace.

For the record:  Paul Pierce is currently 8th on their MVP list.  Just behind Joe Johnson and ahead of Deron Williams.  Considering how spread out the production is here in Boston… I think that's pretty good.  

Forsberg also poses the question about whether Kendrick Perkins should be in the "Most Improved Player" mix

Maybe we're undervaluing Kendrick Perkins' play in past seasons, but we
certainly think he should be in the mix for the most improved player.
As we noted in a post Tuesday, Perkins is averaging double his career
scoring average (12 points) this season and leads the NBA in field-goal
percentage (64.9 percent).

The first words in that would be the only reason Perk gets any consideration, because I think most of us have watched Perk make a perfectly steady progression from year to year.  In fact, I'd say Perk is the model of how a player SHOULD progress in the NBA.  Each year, he's done something noticeably better and improved on what used to be a flaw.  It's very impressive.

That said… I'm not going to argue if someone wants to give him an award.  He deserves it.Photo:

REUTERS/Jason Reed