Pedro Oliveira
With the NBA regular season coming to an end, we bring you the current ranking of the top candidates for the Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2021-2022 season. It has been a year with a lot of competition and several names have gone up and down constantly. However, everything is decided in the final rounds, and just like what happens with the MVP award, the winner will be the player who has been able to sustain his impact inside his team’s defense until the end.
The four players who are expected to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award are the following ones:
Honorable Mention: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
It has been yet another brilliant campaign for the Greek player, who has won this award before, but who is more on track to receive the MVP award for his overall contributions, rather than for his defense-related ones. That’s not to suggest that Giannis has gotten any worse as a defender; on the contrary, he’s shown to be one of the most difficult opponents to overcome on the court— however, he’s taken on a larger offensive role with the Bucks, and his competition is tougher than ever.
With 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks on average and having been assigned the team’s best player on most occasions, the Greek player is a threat to anyone, and in the playoffs we will see his true level in all aspects.
5.- Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
Bam could be at the top of this list since he is one of the most effective and versatile defenders in the NBA. He has the ability to defend all positions despite being 2.06 meters tall, and his presence makes the Miami Heat the fourth best overall defense in the league and the second defense with the fewest rebounds allowed.
Unfortunately for him, he is the player with the fewest games played on this entire list (55 total), and his averages could improve (1.4 steals, 0.8 blocks). These are important reasons to take into account when the competition for the award is so close this season.
Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies
Leading the NBA with 2.2 blocks per game, Jackson Jr. is arguably the most underrated candidate to play for a team like the Grizzlies, with Ja Morant taking all the spotlight.
The Taylor Jenkins-led club has clinched second place in the Western Conference due to one of the most astounding efforts we’ve seen from a team so understated. Memphis has the most thefts and blocks among its players, as well as being the sixth team in the NBA to cause the most losses.
With a 55-25 record, including a 20-4 mark without their biggest star (Morant) Jaren’s contribution has gone under the radar for many and has been one of the keys to the Grizzlies becoming a surprise contender. After dealing with injuries in his first three years as a professional, Jackson Jr. is ready to take the league by storm.
3.- Rudy Gobert – Utah Jazz
Ironic is the best term to describe the French center’s campaign so far. The Jazz have been one of the most disappointing teams in the second half of the season, dropping out of third place in the Western Conference and currently occupying fifth place with a 48-32 record.
So, why is Gobert on this list? The three-time award winner is having one of the most complete seasons of his career: 15.5 points, 14.7 rebounds (leads the NBA), 2.1 blocks with 71.3% efficiency (tops in the league) through 64 games with Utah. The Quin Snyder-led team would be nothing more than a lottery team were it not for Rudy’s presence in the paint, which continues to be the team’s main strength so far.
Apart from those named Gobert, the team has been inconsistent both offensively and defensively: they are the first team with the fewest rebounds allowed and the most defensive rebounds secured, as well as being in the top 10 in allowing the fewest offensive rebounds and points, as well as in blocks in their favor. But other than that, they are the worst defense in the league: among the worst in caused turnovers, steals and defensive rating. The contrast is evident.
Mikal Bridges – Phoenix Suns
Even if his numbers don’t count, Bridges has been one of the main reasons why the Suns are the team with the best record in the entire NBA: he is the team’s primary defender for any important matchup. Thanks to his defensive hand, the Suns are the best team at defending three-pointers and have the league’s third best field goal percentage.
The effort is collective, obviously, but Mikal is the Swiss Army knife in Monty Williams’ structure, thanks to his athletic ability and physical aptitude to defend multiple positions. Another aspect that stands out in Bridges’ candidacy has been his durability: he has played in all of Phoenix’s games (80 so far) so far this season, averaging 35.2 minutes per game.
The Suns’ 63-17 record has Mikal’s hand all over it.
1.- Marcus Smart – Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics and their transformation have been spectacular to say the least: during the end of 2021, they were out of the playoffs and among the last places in the Eastern Conference. Currently, they have the best defense in the entire league and one of the most complete teams in all areas necessary to compete. Despite Robert Williams III’s great performance, his injury has shown that the real anchor of the defense led by Ime Udoka is Marcus Smart.
The 28-year-old point guard’s ability to maintain pressure in all areas physically accessible to him, his performance in defending opposing teams’ star effectively even when they have an obvious physical advantage, and the way he recovers possessions and turns them into offensive opportunities have been part of his repertoire for the Celtics in 2022.
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