NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Power Rankings featuring Joel Embiid, Draymond Green, and more | December 22nd, 2021

No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Can Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo climb the Defensive Player of the Year rankings?

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 0; Games lost - 1

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

Last Week: PPG - 20.0, APG - 3.0, RPG - 8.0

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

Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 75.0%

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

After a slow start to the 2021-22 NBA regular season, the Milwaukee Bucks have started to climb the rankings and make some noise in the Eastern Conference. One of the main reasons for this has been due to the dominant two-way play of superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Although Giannis was recently placed in the league's health and safety protocols, he's still been one of the game's top two-way players so far this year.

The Milwaukee Bucks have started to creep up the rankings in the East and currently find themselves with an overall record of 19-13 this year. When Giannis has been on the court, he's been a terrifying force on both sides of the ball. So far this year, Giannis is currently averaging 27.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. He's also making some noise as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, as the superstar forward is averaging 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.

No. 2: Rudy Gobert

Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert continues to make noise as a potential Defensive Player of the year

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2

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

Overall: Games played - 30; Games won - 21; Games lost - 9

Last Week: PPG - 15.7, APG - 2.0, RPG - 13.7

Overall: PPG - 15.4, APG - 1.1, RPG - 15.0

Last Week: FG% - 77.3%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 61.9%

Overall: FG% - 72.3%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 69.3%

Although a number of teams in the Western Conference have started to capture the attention of the basketball world, the Utah Jazz have quietly maintained a foothold in the standings. The team currently finds itself with an overall record of 21-9 and big man Rudy Gobert has been a major reason why. Utah has won eight of their last ten games and are becoming a team to pay close attention to moving forward.

Rudy Gobert has found himself near the top of the Defensive Player of the Year rankings throughout the year and his production has been too impressive to ignore. Gobert is known for his shot blocking ability, and he has also been a force on the glass for the Jazz this year. The Utah big man is currently averaging 15.4 points, 15.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game this season. If Gobert can continue this type of production, he's going to become a serious contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

No. 1: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is heating up in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1

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

Overall: Games played - 29; Games won - 24; Games lost - 5

Last Week: PPG - 9.7, APG - 6.7, RPG - 8.3

Overall: PPG - 8.4, APG - 7.4, RPG - 8.0

Last Week: FG% - 54.5%, 3P% - 20.0%, FT% - 66.7%

Overall: FG% - 55.4%, 3P% - 29.0%, FT% - 59.7%

The Golden State Warriors have continued to be the talk of the basketball world this season with their strong play on both ends of the floor. Although the team has had a number of impressive contributors when it comes to the offensive side of the game, veteran forward Draymond Green has been sensational defensively. Known for his talent as an elite defender, Green has started to take his all-round game to another level for the Warriors as of late.

As the Warriors continue to put together impressive stretches of performances, the hype surrounding Draymond Green as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate continues to gain traction. So far this year, Draymond is currently averaging 8.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. If Draymond can continue to show this type of production on offense as well as defense, he's going to be a popular selection for the Defensive Player of the Year award.