NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2020: February Power Rankings

It seems like no longer than a few months ago that the 2019-20 NBA season got underway following much anticipation, although, with All-Star Weekend now in the books, the regular-season is quickly heading towards an exciting conclusion. Teams in both conferences continue to battle to improve their seeding ahead of the postseason - while several individuals are hoping to make enough of an impact to pick up one of the annual end of season awards.

Following back-to-back wins for Utah's Rudy Gobert, several players have positioned themselves in strong a position to claim the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year Award - and the race to secure the award remains in the balance as we head towards March. So, as we enter the final months of the regular season, here we will take a look at the leading contenders to be named DPOY.

#5 Kawhi Leonard - LA Clippers

Kawhi Leonard has been LA's most consistent defender

The LA Clippers completed a stunning swoop for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George last summer, bringing together the NBA's best pair of two-way players. However, with George struggling for form and fitness, it has been down to Leonard to offer resistance on a Clippers defense that has surprisingly struggled.

The 28-year-old is averaging a career-high 6.6 defensive rebounds and is also coming up with 1.6 steals per contest. In LA's win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, Leonard restricted Devin Booker to just 14 points on 5-of-19 shooting - and the former San Antonio star has also been able to lock down superstars such as Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Leonard was named DPOY in 2015 and 2016 - and his performances have been at a similar level this season.

#4 Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid is a huge presence on the defensive end

Joel Embiid has been named to the All-Defensive Second Team in each of the past two seasons, and the Philadelphia 76ers star has taken the next leap this season to put himself in contention for the DPOY award. As we head towards March, the Cameroonian is averaging 9.0 defensive rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 0.9 steals - and also places among the top five players in the league for defensive win shares. However, Embiid could face another spell on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder, and his health between now and April could become an obstacle.

#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo is in contention to win multiple end of season awards

Giannis Antetokounmpo's much improved offensive game has overshadowed his go-to defense this season. Nevertheless, while he is set to be named MVP for a second consecutive year, the 25-year-old also has a claim to the Defensive Player of the Year award. Giannis' defensive rating of 97.1 is among the best in the NBA, and he also the only player in the league averaging more than 11 defensive rebounds per game (11.3).

The Greek Freak also tops the NBA in defensive win shares and is contributing 1.1 blocks to the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks - who are allowing just 107.6 points per contest.

#2 Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz

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.

#1 Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers

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.