DEE-fense! Uh, uh! DEE-fense! Uh, uh!

Was there ever any doubt that KG would be named Defensive Player of the Year (nba.com)?

After Monday's practice, Doc Rivers said it would be tough for any Celtics to be honored for any individual league awards because of the role-playing style his team plays.

Apparently, Kia Motors really does have the power to surprise. After Tuesday's practice, the NBA and Kia proved Rivers wrong and named Kevin Garnett the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, recognizing KG's impact on a Celtics defense that ranked first in field goal percentage allowed, three-point field goal percentage and scoring differential, and ranked second in points allowed.

Garnett is the first Celtic to win the award since its inception in 1983, and he joins an elite club of defensive stalwarts who've won the award, including Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dennis Rodman, Dikembe Mutombo and David Robinson.