The first NBA award for the 2013-14 regular season will be announced on Monday night with center Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls set to be named the Defensive Player of the Year according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
The Bulls and the NBA will announce that Joakim Noah is the Defensive Player of the Year at a 4 p.m. news conference, a source familiar with the announcement confirmed.
Since being drafted out of Florida back in 2007, Noah has consistently improved his game on the defensive end of the floor. The veteran center has really come into his own over the last two seasons while helping the team stay afloat in the Eastern Conference without injured superstar Derrick Rose.
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Noah has earned two straight All-Star selections over the last two years while starting to earn the reputation as one of the best defensive players in the league. Noah has also stepped up his efforts offensively averaging a career-high 12.4 points per game this season.
Along with the increased point production, Noah averaged 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists (career high) and 1.5 blocks per game.
Currently, the Bulls are battling the Washington Wizards in the first round of the playoffs. Chicago lost Game 1 and will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Tuesday at the United Center.
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