The National Basketball Association’s Defensive Player of the Year Award is a fairly new award, first making its appearance following the 1982-83 season. The award is voted on by a panel of writers and broadcasters from the sports world. Each member of the panel casts a vote for first through third place. Each first place vote is worth 5 points, second place is worth 3 points, and third place is worth 1 point. The player with the most total points, regardless of first place votes is named the Defensive Player of the Year.
List of NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2015–16 season was Kawhi Leonard, Forward for the San Antonio Spurs
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2014–15 season was Kawhi Leonard, Forward for the San Antonio Spurs
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2013–14 season was Joakim Noah, Center for the Chicago Bulls
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2012–13 season was Marc Gasol, Center for the Memphis Grizzlies
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2011–12 season was Tyson Chandler, Center for the New York Knicks
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2010–11 season was Dwight Howard, Center for the Orlando Magic
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2009–10 season was Dwight Howard, Center for the Orlando Magic
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2008–09 season was Dwight Howard, Center for the Orlando Magic
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2007–08 season was Kevin Garnett, Forward for the Boston Celtics
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2006–07 season was Marcus Camby, Center for the Denver Nuggets
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2005–06 season was Ben Wallace, Center/Forward for the Detroit Pistons
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2004–05 season was Ben Wallace, Center/Forward for the Detroit Pistons
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2003–04 season was Ron Artest, Forward/Guard for the Indiana Pacers
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2002–03 season was Ben Wallace, Center/Forward for the Detroit Pistons
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2001–02 season was Ben Wallace, Center/Forward for the Detroit Pistons
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2000–01 season was Dikembe Mutombo, Center for the Philadelphia 76ers
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1999–00 season was Alonzo Mourning, Center for the Miami Heat
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1998–99 season was Alonzo Mourning, Center for the Miami Heat
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1997–98 season was Dikembe Mutombo, Center for the Atlanta Hawks
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1996–97 season was Dikembe Mutombo, Center for the Atlanta Hawks
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1995–96 season was Gary Payton, Guard for the Seattle SuperSonics
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1994–95 season was Dikembe Mutombo, Center for the Denver Nuggets
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1993–94 season was Hakeem Olajuwon, Center for the Houston Rockets
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1992–93 season was Hakeem Olajuwon, Center for the Houston Rockets
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1991–92 season was David Robinson, Center for the San Antonio Spurs
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1990–91 season was Dennis Rodman, Forward for the Detroit Pistons
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1989–90 season was Dennis Rodman, Forward for the Detroit Pistons
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1988–89 season was Mark Eaton, Center for the Utah Jazz
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1987–88 season was Michael Jordan, Guard for the Chicago Bulls
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1986–87 season was Michael Cooper, Guard/Forward for the Los Angeles Lakers
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1985–86 season was Alvin Robertson, Guard for the San Antonio Spurs
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1984–85 season was Mark Eaton, Center for the Utah Jazz
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1983–84 season was Sidney Moncrief, Guard for the Milwaukee Bucks
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 1982–83 season was Sidney Moncrief, Guard for the Milwaukee Bucks