Dwight Howard Named NBA Defensive Player Of The Year

Orlando Magic center became the first player in NBA history to be named Defensive Player of the Year, for three consecutive years, on Monday. Michael Wallace, of espn.com, has the story, below.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard had a message for the one voter who had the audacity to completely leave the Orlando Magic center off the ballot for NBA defensive player of the year.

"Thank you," Howard said Monday, when asked for his reaction to the slight. "I'll do better next year."

That mission will be difficult to accomplish for Howard, who on Monday became the first player in league history to win defensive player of the year for three consecutive seasons. Howard led the league in double doubles and also averaged 14.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and a career-high 1.3 steals this season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/news/story?id=6381715