DeMarre Carroll is the best player on defense for the Atlanta Hawks, routinely guarding the opposing team's best perimeter scorer.

“We talk a lot about the only way we are going to be good is if we are good on both ends of the court,” Mike Budenholzer said. “DeMarre really sets the tone for us defensively, gives us our spirit and our identity. I just think that end of the court isn’t appreciated enough, isn’t given enough accolades and attention. We’ve got a long way to go defensively, but where we are, he plays a huge role in that.”

Carroll has averaged 11.5 points per game, the highest total of his five-plus year NBA career.