NBA Defensive Player of the Year: December 15th, 2021 | Latest Power Rankings by Sportskeeda

No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 26; Games won - 17; Games lost - 9

Last Week: PPG - 25.8, APG - 5.5, RPG - 11.3

Overall: PPG - 27.0, APG - 5.8, RPG - 11.6

Last Week: FG% - 51.5%, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 70.7%

Overall: FG% - 52.9%, 3P% - 28.0%, FT% - 68.1%

The Milwaukee Bucks (18-11) struggled early with injuries to key players. But after a 6-8 start, they have won 12 of their past 15 games. Milwaukee sits in third place in the East.

The engine behind the Bucks has been superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. In his last week, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 51.5% from the field and 40.0% from 3-point range.

No. 2: Rudy Gobert

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 26; Games won - 19; Games lost - 7

Last Week: PPG - 16.7, APG - 0.3, RPG - 14.0

Overall: PPG - 15.1, APG - 0.9, RPG - 14.6

Last Week: FG% - 76.0%, 3P% - N/A%, FT% - 70.6%

Overall: FG% - 73.4%, 3P% - 0%, FT% - 67.9%

Although the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns have been the NBA’’s headliners, the Utah Jazz (19-7) remain close behind them in the West. The Jazz look like an underrated team. However, this team has a number of weapons, and big man Rudy Gobert, known as “The Stifle Tower,” has continued to be a force inside the paint.

Gobert has played well on both ends. He's one of the top rebounders in the NBA and, as he always has, is giving opposing teams problems with his play around the basket. In his last week, Gobert averaged 16.7 points and 14.0 rebounds per game while shooting 76.0% from the field.

No. 1: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 22; Games lost - 5

Last Week: PPG - 6.3, APG - 4.3, RPG - 7.0

Overall: PPG - 8.3, APG - 7.3, RPG - 8.0

Last Week: FG% - 46.2%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 58.3%

Overall: FG% - 55.6%, 3P% - 30.8%, FT% - 58.7%

The Golden State Warriors have been the NBA’s marquee team, highlighted by Stephen Curry’s chase of the league’s career 3-point mark. While a number of players have stood out on offense, veteran forward Draymond Green has dominated the game with his defensive versatility.

Green has been at the heart of the Warriors defense, helping the team to the NBA's best record. He averaged 6.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game last week. He's quickly becoming a favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award, and his previous resume (as the DPOY in 2016-17 and six times on the all-defensive team) speaks for itself.