3 Memphis Grizzlies who could win league awards in 2021
Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks probably won’t win Defensive Player of the Year, but what if?
In an article full of mild exaggerations and NBA Awards that have been brought back from the dead, I thought it would be downright disrespectful if I didn’t at least mention Dillon Brooks as a contender for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
Granted, I’d bet my house that he doesn’t win the award — still, it’s worth a mention.
Say what you want about Brooks as a player — he’s one of the most versatile defenders in this league. When the Grizzlies are playing the Lakers, he defends LeBron James 1-on-1. When the Grizzlies face the Warriors, Brooks is on Curry. Outside of the center position, there may not be a player in the league who Brooks can’t guard.
Even so, he was snubbed from an NBA All-Defensive team honor in 2020-21 and it’s nearly impossible to see him make the jump from nothing to the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. Still, Brooks can earn All-Defensive team honors next season. The best part? All he has to do is continue to dominant.
Brooks averaged a team-high 1.2 steals per game last season. The real work, however, isn’t always quantified on a stat sheet. Brooks’ attitude on defense, trash-talking, and ability to play man-to-man defense should not be minimized. He may not be nationally recognized, but he is among the ranks of players like Draymond Green when it comes to importance on this team.
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Again, my heart tells me that Brooks will make an All-Defensive team in 2021. Let’s hope I’m right.