NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Power Rankings | February 2nd, 2022

A number of players have made impressive bids for this season's NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. The 2021-22 NBA season has had no shortage of outstanding defensive performances.

With another week in the rear-view mirror, it's time to update our NBA Defensive Player of the Year power rankings.

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No. 5: Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers superstar big man Joel Embiid

Previous Week’s Ranking - #5

Previous Week's Record: 3-0

Overall Record: 27-11

Previous Week's Stats: PPG - 34.7, APG - 5.7, RPG - 11.7

Overall Stats: PPG - 29.1, APG - 4.4, RPG - 10.8

Last Week's Efficiency: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 15.4%, FT% - 78.4%

Overall Efficiency: FG% - 49.9%, 3P% - 36.6%, FT% - 81.1%

After a slow stretch of games in the middle of the year, the Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the league's hottest teams. One of the major reasons for the 76ers strong play as of late has been the performance of superstar big man Joel Embiid.

One of the most dangerous offensive players in the league when he's in a groove, Embiid provides just as much impact on the defensive end of the court. Up to this point in the season, Embiid has averaged 0.9 SPG and 1.4 BPG. He's a name to look out for in the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year race.

No. 4: Jaren Jackson Jr.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.

Previous Week’s Power Ranking - N/A

Previous Week's Record: 3-0

Overall Record: 34-18

Last Week's Stats: PPG - 16.7, APG - 1.7, RPG - 7.0

Overall Stats: PPG - 16.4, APG - 1.1, RPG - 5.8

Last Week's Efficiency: FG% - 57.1%, 3P% - 42.9%, FT% - 63.6%

Overall Efficiency: FG% - 41.8%, 3P% - 31.4%, FT% - 79.6%

One of the most pleasant surprises of the first half of the 2021-22 NBA season has been the play of the Memphis Grizzlies, with an impressive overall record of 35-18. One of the most underrated parts of Memphis' recent success has been the play of young big man Jaren Jackson Jr.

Jaren Jackson Jr. makes his debut in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year power rankings after a number of eye-popping defensive outings. In his last week of games, Jackson upped his season averages to 1.0 SPG and an impressive 2.3 blocks per game while anchoring the Grizzlies defense.

No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo

Previous Week’s Ranking - #3

Last Week's Record: 3-1

Overall Record: 27-16

Last Week Stat's: PPG - 31.0, APG - 3.3, RPG - 10.3

Overall Stats: PPG - 28.9, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.3

Last Week's Efficiency: FG% - 54.9%, 3P% - 28.6%, FT% - 76.7%

Overall Efficiency: FG% - 53.6%, 3P% - 27.7%, FT% - 72.2%

The Milwaukee Bucks continue to battle their way up the standings in the Eastern Conference with an overall record of 32-21, 1.5 games back of the second place 76ers. One of the main reasons for Milwaukee's rise has been the play of superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Giannis continues to hold the third spot in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year power rankings, in part because of his excellent paint protection and transition defense. Giannis is also averaging 1.0 SPG and 1.4 BPG.

No. 2: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green

Previous Week’s Ranking - #1

Last Week's Record: N/A

Overall Record: 28-6

Last Week's Stats: PPG - N/A, APG - N/A, RPG - N/A

Overall Stats: PPG - 7.9, APG - 7.4, RPG - 7.6

Last Week's Efficiency: FG% - N/A, 3P% - N/A, FT% - N/A

Overall Efficiency: FG% - 53.7%, 3P% - 28.6%, FT% - 59.7%

The Golden State Warriors continue to look like one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference, finding themselves in second place in the West with an overall record of 39-13. One of the most impressive players for the Warriors this year has been defensive savant, Draymond Green.

Golden State has battled through a rough stretch of games recently, in large part because of the absence of Draymond Green. Although Green has missed an extended period of time, he still finds himself a serious contender in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year race. So far, Draymond is averaging 1.4 SPG and 1.2 BPG.

No. 1: Rudy Gobert

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert is rising in Defensive Player of the Year rankings

Previous Week’s Ranking - #2

Last Week's Record: N/A

Overall Record: 29-13

Last Week's Stats: N/A

Overall Stats: PPG - 16.0, APG - 1.2, RPG - 15.1

Last Week's Efficiency: N/A

Overall Efficiency: FG% - 70.7%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 69.0%

The Utah Jazz continue to hold onto the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings with an overall record of 30-21. A large part of their success can be attributed to their defensive anchor, Rudy Gobert.

Gobert has been absolutely magnificent in controlling their defense all season long. Although the Utah big man was out last week, he's still a serious candidate for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, averaging 0.8 SPG and 2.3 BPG along with his stalwart leadership on that end.