NBA Defensive Player of the Year Candidates

At 6’10 and 253 pounds, AD is a defensive nightmare for other teams to deal with. He’s averaging 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals on the season. His 4.0 stocks (steals and blocks combined) are the highest of anybody in the league right now.

AD’s defensive ability is so unique because he is practically able to guard any position 1-5. He’s one of the biggest defensive forces in the paint as an elite rim protector, but can also switch onto any guard and give them problems on the perimeter with his gigantic 7’6″ wingspan.

The agility and explosiveness with which Giannis moves is unfair for his size and definitely something the NBA world has never seen before. Giannis has learned to translate the rare talent he possesses into a making a direct impact on being a lethal force defensively.

He’s averaging exactly one steal and one block a game, giving him the type of defensive production that further states his case, especially when considering most team’s offensive strategy is to shy away from the Greek Freak. The reigning MVP doesn’t have many opportunities to steal or block a shot, but he’s taking advantage of when those chances come. Giannis is the anchor of a Bucks defense that leads the NBA in defensive rating (101.0) and holds opponents to a mere 41% field goal percentage.

The Philly All-Star recognized as a generational talent due to his absurd height at the point guard position is playing elite defense this season, averaging a career-high two steals and over half a block game. Simmons’ two steals per game also leads the league in that category.

His 6’10 frame and 7’0 wingspan allow him to disrupt passing lanes by getting easy steals and deflections, which has directly contributed to the Sixers placing ninth in both steals and blocks per game. With Simmons setting the tone, they also have the sixth-best defensive rating (107.5) in the NBA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chg41nNpfWk

When NBA fans think of the feistiest defenders in the league, Marcus Smart’s name definitely comes to mind. The heart and soul of the Boston Celtics for the past five years, Smart has proven to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA.

This season, Smart is averaging nearly two steals and half a block a game. He is a pest on defense and gets into the heads of his opponents. The Celtics are fourth in defensive rating (106.1) largely fueled by Marcus Smart’s unmatched hustle and tenacity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTG00mfPfCg

The two-time reigning DPOY (2018, 2019) doesn’t have that strong of a case this season and that’s why he’s last on these rankings. Although Gobert is averaging two blocks and over half a steal per game, he hasn’t been able to have the same defensive impact that he had in years past.

Gobert is known as the defensive anchor for the Utah Jazz, but his team’s defense has not been up to par this season. Usually the Jazz place within the top 10 in defensive rating and top 15 in blocks and steals. This year they are 11th in defensive rating, tied for 28th in blocks, and last in steals in the league. It’s been a down year for Gobert all-around.

At 6’10 and 253 pounds, AD is a defensive nightmare for other teams to deal with. He’s averaging 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals on the season. His 4.0 stocks (steals and blocks combined) are the highest of anybody in the league right now.

AD’s defensive ability is so unique because he is practically able to guard any position 1-5. He’s one of the biggest defensive forces in the paint as an elite rim protector, but can also switch onto any guard and give them problems on the perimeter with his gigantic 7’6″ wingspan.

The agility and explosiveness with which Giannis moves is unfair for his size and definitely something the NBA world has never seen before. Giannis has learned to translate the rare talent he possesses into a making a direct impact on being a lethal force defensively.

He’s averaging exactly one steal and one block a game, giving him the type of defensive production that further states his case, especially when considering most team’s offensive strategy is to shy away from the Greek Freak. The reigning MVP doesn’t have many opportunities to steal or block a shot, but he’s taking advantage of when those chances come. Giannis is the anchor of a Bucks defense that leads the NBA in defensive rating (101.0) and holds opponents to a mere 41% field goal percentage.

When NBA fans think of the feistiest defenders in the league, Marcus Smart’s name definitely comes to mind. The heart and soul of the Boston Celtics for the past five years, Smart has proven to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA.

This season, Smart is averaging nearly two steals and half a block a game. He is a pest on defense and gets into the heads of his opponents. The Celtics are fourth in defensive rating (106.1) largely fueled by Marcus Smart’s unmatched hustle and tenacity.

The Philly All-Star recognized as a generational talent due to his absurd height at the point guard position is playing elite defense this season, averaging a career-high two steals and over half a block game. Simmons’ two steals per game also leads the league in that category.

His 6’10 frame and 7’0 wingspan allow him to disrupt passing lanes by getting easy steals and deflections, which has directly contributed to the Sixers placing ninth in both steals and blocks per game. With Simmons setting the tone, they also have the sixth-best defensive rating (107.5) in the NBA.

The two-time reigning DPOY (2018, 2019) doesn’t have that strong of a case this season and that’s why he’s last on these rankings. Although Gobert is averaging two blocks and over half a steal per game, he hasn’t been able to have the same defensive impact that he had in years past.

Gobert is known as the defensive anchor for the Utah Jazz, but his team’s defense has not been up to par this season. Usually the Jazz place within the top 10 in defensive rating and top 15 in blocks and steals. This year they are 11th in defensive rating, tied for 28th in blocks, and last in steals in the league. It’s been a down year for Gobert all-around.