As usual, the list of candidates for the Defensive Player of the Year award is littered with big men who anchor top defenses, wing stoppers who create havoc on the perimeter and perhaps the most versatile defender in the game, LeBron "1-through-5" James.
All this to say that the field is as competitive as ever, which is reflected in the close voting breakdown below.
In the end, though, our panel gives Memphis' Marc Gasol the slight nod over Miami's James to take home the hardware and thinks he is most deserving. After all, his Grizzlies lead the league in fewest points allowed and are second in defensive efficiency.
But, as you'll see below, there are a number of players who deserve recognition for their defensive efforts that often go unnoticed.
Here is the full voting breakdown by our ESPN Forecast panel.
ESPN Forecast: Who should win the Defensive Player of the Year award?
Voters ranked their top three picks, with a 5-3-1 scoring system
ESPN Forecast: Who will win the Defensive Player of the Year award?
Voters selected one name each