James is considered an all-round superstar in his career, and it is unreasonable to have no best defensive player in his career

On June 26, LeBron James, this name is well-known in the basketball world, and his career is legendary. Since entering the NBA as the No. 1 pick in 2003, James has conquered countless fans with his all-round performance. He can do almost everything with points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks. However, it is puzzling that this player, known as an all-round superstar, has never won the honor of Best Defensive Player (DPOY). This fact makes people question: Is James' defensive ability underestimated? Or, is there any problem with the selection criteria for the best defensive player?

James' defensive ability is unquestionable. Judging from the data, he averaged 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks in his career, which is top-notch in the small forward position. What's even more amazing is that his defense covers the entire game, and from the outside to the inside, he can put huge pressure on his opponents. At critical moments, James is often able to use his excellent defensive awareness and skills to complete key steals or blocks to change the trend of the game. In the seventh game of the 2016 Finals, his big hat on Andre Iguodala is still talked about by fans and has become one of the most classic defensive moments in NBA history.

In addition to personal defensive ability, James' team defense awareness is also first-class. He is good at reading opponents' offensive tactics, is able to make timely repair and assist in defense, and fill loopholes for his teammates. During the Heat, his defensive system, formed with Dwyne Wade and Chris Bosh, made his opponents frightened. During the Cavaliers' era, he relied on his own to shoulder the team's defensive responsibilities in the playoffs many times. During the Lakers' age, despite his age, his defensive experience and skills remained online, helping the team win the championship in 2020.

However, despite his obvious defensive ability, he has never won the honor of being the best defensive player. This fact has sparked widespread discussion. Some people believe that the selection of the best defensive player focuses too much on data and ignores the actual influence of the players in the game. While James has excellent defensive statistics, his all-around performance has made him more outstanding in other aspects, leading judges to likely be more inclined to vote for players who focus on defense, such as Rudy Gobert or Kawhi Leonard.

Some people also believe that James' defensive ability is underestimated. His defensive style is more comprehensive, not focusing on one aspect like some defensive experts. For example, Gobert is good at framing protection, Leonard is good at external defense, and James is able to provide defensive support in multiple positions. Although this comprehensive defensive style is more practical, it may not be as eye-catching as the defensive performance in a single position in the selection.

In addition, James' defensive ability has also changed in different periods. During the Heat, his defensive performance reached its peak, but the competition for the best defensive players of that period was extremely fierce, and players such as Dwight Howard and Jockin Noah performed equally well. During the Cavaliers and Lakers, James' defensive strength has declined as he grows older, which has also affected his competitiveness in the selection of the best defensive player.

Despite this, James' defensive ability is still one of the top in NBA history. His defense is not only reflected in the data, but also in the critical moments of the game. His defensive awareness and leadership skills allow him to be the core of defense in any team. Perhaps, the honor of the best defensive player does not fully define James' defensive value, but his defensive performance has been deeply engraved in the hearts of fans and opponents.

Looking back on James' career, his all-round performance and defensive ability are undoubtedly at the historical level. Although there is no honor for the best defensive player, this does not affect his greatness on the defensive end. Perhaps, one day in the future, when people look back on the history of the NBA, they will re-examine James' defensive contributions and give him the recognition he deserves. In any case, LeBron James' name has been closely linked to the great defenders in basketball history, and his legendary story will continue to inspire future players and fans.