posted March 13, 2007 at 12:57 in NBA Free Picks

The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award generally comes down to a two-man race between the two most “deserving” candidates in the league.

Unlike past years, the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year race is almost a crapshoot, featuring at least four players who could legitimately win the award.

Here is a peek at some of the candidates, followed by my pick on which player I believe will actually win the award.

Odds to become the 2007 NBA defensive player of the year

 

Marcus Camby +250
The “Camby Man” is a fine defender, but we won’t win this award because the Nuggets are absolutely atrocious defensively. Next!

Emeka Okafor +120
Okafor won’t win because his team doesn’t – and because he’s a lot like Camby – injured frequently.

Kevin Garnett +250
Now KG is a legitimate candidate to win this award. He can guard three positions and rebounds like a madman. Bettors beware, KG could actually win this thing.

Shawn Marion +300
Marion is a freak of nature who can guard all five positions when necessary. Like Garnett, Marion is also one of the finest rebounders in the league as well, all at 6-7.

Field +400
I always tell bettors that betting thefield is a good thing when the actual winner could be in the “field” category. Ben Wallace and Bruce Bowen make betting the field worthwhile for any NBA bettor.

 

My Pick: Marion gets my vote hands down this year. His versatility defensively is greater than any player’s in the league and he consistantly takes on the other team’s best scorer - something no other candidate can claim.

Take Marion here and you won’t go wrong.

Eric Williams is a nationally syndicated sports columnist. To contact Eric, e-mail, sportsjunkie66@aol.com.

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