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#4 Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently on track to become the first player in NBA history to average at least 30 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists throughout the regular season, and the 2019 MVP remains an incredible force on the defensive end. Only Deandre Drummond is averaging more than Giannis' 11.2 defensive rebounds per game, and the 24-year-old is also averaging 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest.
Unsurprisingly, the Bucks' defense is significantly worse without Antetokounmpo on the court, and it feels as though his efforts on the defensive end are going unnoticed due to his improved offensive efficiency. The Bucks are also allowing 110.6 points per game which don't help his cause, although Antetokounmpo's huge defensive numbers are enough to put him among the contenders.
#3 Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert is the NBA's two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and the Frenchman has once again impressed during the first weeks of the season as he looks to take home the award for a third straight season. While the 27-year-old hasn't been involved as much as he would like on Utah Jazz's offense, he has been a towering figure on a well-drilled defensive unit that has been the fourth-best in the league so far this season.
Gobert is averaging a career-high (11.0) defensive rebounds per game, while he is also averaging at least one steal per game for the first time in his career. His number of blocks (2.1) is slightly down, although Gobert is still among the leaders in the league.
