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The NBA season continues to bring excitement to basketball fans. Each week, new players and teams impress.
The Golden State Warriors (23-5) and Phoenix Suns (22-5) continue to be two of the most impressive teams and have the best records in the Western Conference as well as the league. On the other side, the Brooklyn Nets (20-8) have the best record in the East. With another week in the books, we inch closer to the end of the year awards.
On that note, let's take a look at the updated Defensive Player of the Year power rankings.
No. 5: Anthony Davis
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 1; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 12; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 19.5, APG - 2.0, RPG - 12.0
Overall: PPG - 24.0, APG - 3.0, RPG - 10.2
Last Week: FG% - 51.6%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - 75.0%
Overall: FG% - 52.3%, 3P% - 19.2%, FT% - 72.3%
The LA Lakers (15-13) have been doing everything in their power to get back on the right track. The Lakers have rattled off a pair of victories before Wednesday's game at the Dallas Mavericks (14-13). Superstar forward Anthony Davis continues to be a major piece of the Lakers' success.
Davis has produced at a high level and has been a solid force with his ability on both sides of the ball. Davis is averaging 24.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 52.3% from the field.
No. 4: Mikal Bridges
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 2; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 22; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 10.0, APG - 2.0, RPG - 6.0
Overall: PPG - 12.2, APG - 1.8, RPG - 3.9
Last Week: FG% - 53.3%, 3P% - 100.0%, FT% - 100.0%
Overall: FG% - 53.6%, 3P% - 40.7%, FT% - 87.5%
After previously making his debut in the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings, Phoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges is back in the top five. After previously making his debut in the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings, Phoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges is back in the top five. The Suns built on their success from last season, when they reached the Finals, and are one of the NBA’s best teams.
Phoenix has won 21 of its past 23 games. One of the reasons why the Suns have had so much success has been the contribution of Mikal Bridges. The lengthy wing has emerged as one of the best defensive wings in his fourth season. While Bridges might not wow with his production, he's a disruptive force with his versatility on defense.
No. 3: 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
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
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.
