Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

All-Star Break Awards: Is Darius Garland or Donovan Mitchell the squad MVP?

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 23: Darius Garland #10 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during a free-throw against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 23, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 118-107. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 23: Darius Garland #10 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during a free-throw against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 23, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 118-107. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Nov 23, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) celebrates after a basket during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) celebrates after a basket during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Player of the Year: Jarrett Allen

Runner Up: Dean Wade

When picking the front-runner for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, it’s a bit shocking to realize the Cavs have six guys who could be any team’s best defensive player. Lamar Stevens, Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Cedi Osman, and Jarrett Allen are all having great defensive years according to their RAPTOR scores.

When looking at the highest rated on their site, we see that Stevens and Mobley are tied at +0.7, Okoro has a +1.1, Osman has a +1.6, Allen has a +2.0, and Wade has a +2.2. To further highlight how good this team has been defensive, Caris LeVert has a +1.3.

LeVert has traditionally not been a great defensive player, so we’re keeping him off the list. Stevens isn’t very versatile and is more of a hustle player. Mobley, as an all-around player, is up, but as a defensive player is slightly down from expectations. Okoro has been on all year but is more along the lines of Osman as a defender at the moment, which isn’t an insult to either man.

Wade and Allen, however, have been defensive game-changers. The reason why Allen, who is slightly below Wade in RAPTOR scores, gets the nod over Wade is due to Allen has more minutes and games. He’s been this good at a more consistent rate, and that means a lot to us.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers