The NBA defender of the year is an honor given to the best player on the defensive end of the floor. Players on this list are chosen by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters and voted for by a global audience. This year’s award winner was Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks had an excellent defensive season, ranking eighth in the NBA in opponent’s field goal percentage allowed and 10th in points per 100 possessions allowed. Antetokounmpo was a top candidate to win the award.
His defensive impact is well-documented, as he has limited opposing team’s shooting percentage, blocked a league-leading amount of shots and disrupted passing lanes on the perimeter. He’s a big reason why the Bucks are in position to contend for the playoffs this season.
He’s not one of the quickest defenders in the NBA, but he’s incredibly smart and physical. This makes him a tough matchup for the most effective point guards and small forwards in the league.
Draymond Green has been a huge part of the Golden State Warriors’ success on the defensive end, and he should be in consideration for this year’s award. He’s always been a good defender, but he’s become an even better one over the last few years.
Another defending champion in this year’s race is Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart. This is his third time being a first-team selection, and it should come as no surprise to fans of the Celtics that he is the leading vote-getter for this year’s defensive honor.
His on-ball defense is also a strength, as he’s able to block out the opposing offense and swat away shooters before they can get to the basket. This helped him earn a spot on the first team alongside Phoenix Suns guard Mikal Bridges and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
Embiid is a great defender in the backcourt, but his game also extends to the perimeter. He’s an excellent shotblocker and has an uncanny ability to defend both guards and small forwards. He’s also a strong rebounder and can score in bunches on both ends of the court.
This may be an odd choice, but it could prove to be a wise move for a runner-up finisher in the 2020 season. Davis is a four-time All-Defense player with first-place DPOY votes in each of those seasons, but he’s also been hampered by injuries in his career.
He’s not quite as physically robust as he once was, but he has improved his basketball IQ and is an essential piece of a defensively-sound team. If he keeps improving, he’s definitely a strong contender for this year’s DPOY.
The only way this is a real possibility is if he continues to improve on his already-high level of play. This year’s defensive rating numbers are particularly impressive, and he has a high ceiling.
If he can continue to improve, he’s the clear-cut choice for this award. He’s a good shotblocker and has a solid basketball IQ, making him an extremely dangerous defender on both ends of the floor. If he can continue to improve his on-ball defense and play the type of physical, athletic, and mental game that’s required to compete for this award, he could very well earn his second defensive title.
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