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The race for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award continues to intensify with each passing week. Many players have shaped the competitive field of candidates for the honor.
With the NBA nearing the All-Star break, there's going to be plenty of fascinating storylines to monitor throughout the rest of the year.
It's time to take a look at the latest Defensive Player of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.
No. 5: Mikal Bridges
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 54; Games won - 44; Games lost - 10
Last Week: PPG - 21.0, APG - 4.0, RPG - 6.3
Overall: PPG - 13.1, APG - 2.2, RPG - 4.3
Last Week: FG% - 58.5%, 3P% - 35.7%, FT% - 90.9%
Overall: FG% - 52.2%, 3P% - 36.9%, FT% - 87.5%
The Phoenix Suns (44-10) have been one of the NBA's most dominant teams throughout the season. The Suns have the league's best record and lead the Western Conference. The team is firing on all cylinders, and versatile wing Mikal Bridges has started to find his groove yet again.
After missing out on last week's power rankings, Bridges finds himself back in the top five. Bridges has been one of the league's more underrated defenders this year and is coming off a strong week. In his last week, Bridges averaged 21.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 58.5%.
No. 4: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 55; Games won - 37; Games lost - 18
Last Week: PPG - 21.7, APG - 0.7, RPG - 7.7
Overall: PPG - 16.8, APG - 1.1, RPG - 6.0
Last Week: FG% - 46.0%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 42.4%, 3P% - 31.8%, FT% - 80.2%
The brash and exciting Memphis Grizzlies (38-18) have been one of the NBA's best stories this season. The up-and-coming Grizzlies have skyrocketed to third in the West. Young big man Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to be one of the most important pieces for Memphis.
After a slow start, Jackson has started to see his game come alive, especially on defense. In his last week, Jackson averaged 21.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 46.0%.
No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 46; Games won - 30; Games lost - 16
Last Week: PPG - 30.0, APG - 7.3, RPG - 11.3
Overall: PPG - 29.2, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.3
Last Week: FG% - 60.4%, 3P% - 46.2%, FT% - 81.3%
Overall: FG% - 54.4%, 3P% - 30.3%, FT% - 72.2%
The Milwaukee Bucks are making a serious charge in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks have won eight of their last 10 games, including the past four. Milwaukee (35-21) is a half-game out of first place. Powering Milwaukee, as always, is superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The lengthy two-way weapon has been a consistent force and continues to be a name to watch closely in the DPOY race. In his last week, Giannis averaged 30.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 60.4% from the field (46.2% from 3-point range).
No. 2: Draymond Green
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 28; Games lost - 6
Last Week: PPG - N/A, APG - N/A, RPG - N/A
Overall: PPG - 7.9, APG - 7.4, RPG - 7.6
Last Week: FG% - N/A, 3P% - N/A, FT% - N/A
Overall: FG% - 53.7%, 3P% - 28.6%, FT% - 59.7%
The Golden State Warriors (41-13) have been the NBA's marquee team all season. They are in second place in the West and have won nine straight games, starting to find another impressive groove.
When the Warriors have been at full strength, veteran forward Draymond Green is a mainstay.
Green has missed an extended amount of time with a back injury but remains a top contender for the DPOY award. This season, Draymond is averaging 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game.
No. 1: Rudy Gobert
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 42; Games won - 29; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - N/A, APG - N/A, RPG - N/A
Overall: PPG - 16.0, APG - 1.2, RPG - 15.1
Last Week: FG% - N/A, 3P% - N/A, FT% - N/A
Overall: FG% - 70.7%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 69.0%
After a recent stretch of tough performances, the Utah Jazz (33-21) have started to find their groove again. The team is riding a three-game winning streak and is fourth in the West.
When Utah is at their best, it's been due to the impressive play of big man Rudy Gobert. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner, Gobert always makes a serious impact on both sides of the floor.
The Utah Jazz center has been sidelined as of late, but his production throughout the year makes him a favorite for the award. This year, Gobert has averaged 16.0 points and 15.1 rebounds per game while shooting 70.7%.
