NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2020: February Power Rankings

#2 Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz

Rudy Gobert is the reigning DPOY

Rudy Gobert is the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and his efforts on the defensive end resulted in a first All-Star appearance earlier this month. In addition to a 106.1 defensive rating, Gobert is averaging a career-high 10.6 defensive rebounds per game, while also contributing 1.9 blocks per contest.

However, while his all-around defensive game has been excellent, Gobert's case wasn't helped last week as he was dominated by a resurgent Russell Westbrook. Additionally, Utah's defense has fallen off a cliff, and the Frenchman needs a strong end to the season if he is to claim the award for a third consecutive year.

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#1 Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis is the frontrunner

Anthony Davis has had his eyes on the Defensive Player of the Year award from the first week of the season, and the Los Angeles Lakers star remains the leading contender. While Davis has occasionally struggled with his shooting, he has been elite defensively on a nightly basis, and he has had a huge role in transforming the Lakers' defense into one of the best in the league.

He is averaging 2.5 blocks, 1.5 steals, and 7.2 defensive rebounds per game on a 105.8 defensive rating, and has recorded at least six blocks in two of his last three apperances. If Davis continues to average the same sort of numbers over the final weeks of the season he will be hard to stop, and while LeBron James is likely to miss out on the MVP award, the Lakers should be able to celebrate Davis taking home the DPOY title.