Gasol, the 7-foot-1 Spaniard who anchored the NBA’s stingiest defense in Graceland, took home the award after getting 30 first place votes for a total of 212 points. James, who is expected to win his 4th MVP award in a few days, had 18 first-place votes and a total of 149 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder jumping bean Serge Ibaka was third in the voting with 22 first-place votes and 122 points overall.
Gasol, 28, averaged 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocks while suffocating NBA offenses by allowing a league-best 88 points a game.
Take a look at many of the Twitter reactions to Marc Gasol becoming the first Grizzlies player to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Grizzlies Marc Gasol wins the @nba Defensive Player of the Year award while his brother Pau wins The Most Defensive Player of the year.
— Patriot Lemonade (@PatriotLemonade) April 24, 2013
