Chapter 1 Tang Tian's DPOY

Tang Tian cut down the first triple-double of the season playoffs, 32 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

After the game, Tang Tian and Butler hugged for a long time at center court.

Before, because they were opponents, they didn't have much chance to communicate, but now that the series was over, it was brotherly time.

Tang Tian patted Butler on the head while hugging him to encourage him.

Even though he wasn't on the Mavericks' roster, he could guess that Butler and Pachulia were arguing because of him.

He was lucky to have brothers like that.

After separating from Butler, Tang Tian went to attend the post-match press conference.

He still praised the Mavericks' performance, and bluntly said that Dallas would have a competitive team next year.

This wasn't a bluff, next year the salary cap would increase greatly, and the Mavericks would have the opportunity to find a quality point guard, plus the complete integration and Embiid's growth.

The Mavericks' competitiveness would really improve a notch like he said.

Tang Tian's post-match remarks caused a lot of fans to discuss, but this time it wasn't a hot topic on social media.

Because two other things were more noteworthy.

One was related to Butler.

"When to start training? @Nowitzki."

This was what Butler said on social media an hour after the fourth game between the Mavericks and the Pelicans, tagging Nowitzki.

This training freak was going to squeeze Old Driver dry.

But starting training non-stop right after the season ended was something only Butler would do.

The other thing was related to the game.

Not long after the game between the Mavericks and the Pelicans ended, the fourth game between the Thunder and the Spurs also ended.

With Westbrook's 37 points, the Thunder defeated the Spurs 103-94 at home.

After winning this game, the Thunder won two consecutive games at home, rewriting the score to 3-1! They got the match point for the series!

Before the playoffs started, 38% of the fans thought the Mavericks had a chance to upset, they miscalculated.

But the 47% of fans who thought the Thunder would upset, they now had a great chance of guessing right!

This result was actually a bit unexpected to Tang Tian.

After all, the Spurs had a Pau Gasol more than the historical period, and their record was so much better than the Thunder, and there was Popovich.

But this was the NBA playoffs, no one could absolutely win, and besides, the Thunder had the Two Shao (dual young stars) plus Ibaka, and they had the strength to upset.

The first round of the Eastern and Western Conferences came to an end at this point.

In the West, the Pelicans swept the Mavericks, the Warriors led the Clippers 3-1, the Thunder led the Spurs 3-1, and the Rockets led the Trail Blazers 3-1;

In the East, the Cavaliers swept the Nets, the Knicks led the Pacers 3-1, the Heat were tied with the Hawks 2-2, and the Raptors led the Hornets 3-1.

The league also announced the second phase of awards at this time.

This time, the awards announced were Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

The selection of Rookie of the Year was still quite suspenseful this year.

Towns, Russell, and Porzingis all had bright performances on their respective teams.

In terms of data, Towns (18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.6 blocks) was better than Russell (16.8 points, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals) and Porzingis (17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2 blocks).

But in terms of record, the Timberwolves with Towns were the worst, Russell led the team to the playoffs, and the Suns were in between.

There was a lot of suspense, but when the final voting results came out, the vote rate differed greatly.

Russell received 43% of the votes, beating Towns (32%) and Porzingis (11%) to be elected Rookie of the Year.

Results are always accompanied by controversy, and many Towns fans cried foul for him.

But those who saw through it understood that the Nets were now one of the teams the league was focusing on promoting, plus Russell's performance in the playoffs, this was all expected.

After Rookie of the Year, the result of Defensive Player of the Year also came out.

This result was even more unexpected than Rookie of the Year.

Leonard was the player with the highest voice for the award before, and if he won in the end, he would become another DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) to win consecutively after Tang Tian.

The second favorite was Draymond Green, averaging 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, the defensive cornerstone of the Warriors' small lineup.

He regrettably lost to Leonard last year, and this year he had a chance to win the award.

But the final result came out, it was neither Leonard nor Green, but Tang Tian!

Tang Tian, with 33% of the votes, beat Leonard (29%) and Green (21%), and successfully won the season's Defensive Player of the Year!

It was Tang Tian again!

Tang Tian had already won it once in the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons.

Unexpectedly, after a year, he won the award again!

"This is unfair, Tang is really outstanding, but his defensive data has declined since he became the Pelicans' offensive core, he shouldn't be a candidate!"

"Leonard's defense this season is dominant, he should win the award, and Green, his defensive energy as a short player is amazing!"

"It's obvious that the league wants to promote the Pelicans! But this is understandable, it's a 74-win team!"

…

A lot of haters suddenly popped up on social media, starting all kinds of hating and taking the rhythm of the Pelicans.

Even Pelicans coach Stevens was asked about this topic by reporters.

"You should ask the players who have played against them this question."

Stevens' answer was unexpected, but it was also the most reasonable.

Defensive Player of the Year, defends players, if you want to know the answer, you should naturally ask the players who have played against Tang Tian and them.

As a result, this reporter from ESPN really asked!

And after asking, he also reported the words of the stars!

Kobe: Leonard's defense is historical, he is really excellent, he will be the best defensive wing in the league, but Tang, in order to pursue scoring efficiency, I will try to stagger direct confrontation with him.

Wade: Leonard's hands are big, which makes it easy for him to steal the ball from your hand, which will give me a lot of defensive pressure, as for Tang, if I find him defending me, I will try to call a pick and roll as much as possible.

Anthony: Leonard's defense is incredible, I have to use all my strength and give 100% focus to have a chance to score, but Tang, I have to give 120%.

James: Tang, in terms of ability they are all on the same level, but Tang is smarter and more experienced on the defensive end.

Durant: Tang.

…

In the results statistics, except for the inside players who tend to favor Green who they match up with, the remaining wing stars almost unanimously chose Tang Tian.

Including James and Durant, who don't have a very harmonious relationship with Tang Tian.

The Pelicans fans were very excited when they saw this report.

Kobe and Durant wouldn't and don't need to lie.

Tang Tian's Defensive Player of the Year was well deserved!

Including Stevens' Best Coach before, the Pelicans are really going to have a big harvest this season!