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We're approaching the end of the first full month of NBA games for the 2021-22 season.
It's been an exciting time around the league, as the storylines continue to build with each day that passes. Many teams have gotten off to strong starts as they strive to stay at the top of the standings in their respective conferences. Other notable teams have struggled with inconsistent displays during the first month of action, and will look to get back on the right track.
The Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award has continued to be one of the most discussed accolades in the NBA. Every year, there's a group of players that look poised to take home the recognition of being one of the league's top defenders.
Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert won the DPOY award the last two years. There is now an intriguing crop of players who have made some noise for this year's award. On that note, here's a look at this week's installment of the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings.
#5 Joel Embiid
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 9; Games won - 7; Games lost - 2
Last Week: PPG - 22.3, APG - 4.3, RPG - 11.0
Overall: PPG - 21.4, APG - 4.0, RPG - 9.4
Last Week: FG% - 44.2%, 3P% - 50.0%, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 43.5%, 3P% - 39.4%, FT% - 77.9%.
Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid is expected to miss some time because of the NBA's health and safety protocols. But his plays of late has been too impressive to ignore.
Embiid has put up some great numbers, and finds himself getting some recognition in this week's power rankings. Although Embiid has stood out with his performances on the offensive side of the ball, he has also been a force defensively.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the tougher teams in the Eastern Conference during the opening month of the 2021-22 NBA season. They currently find themselves 8-4 on the season, despite losing their last two games with Embiid out.
Throughout the NBA 2021-22 season, Embiid has been a disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball. In nine games, he is averaging 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game. Thanks to his performances, he makes his first appearance in the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings.
#4 Bam Adebayo
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 9; Games won - 6; Games lost - 3
Last Week: PPG - 17.3, APG - 3.7, RPG - 8.7
Overall: PPG - 18.3, APG - 2.3, RPG - 11.8
Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 82.4%
Overall: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 82.5%.
After appearing fifth in last week's power rankings, Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo has started to climb up the boards with his impressive plays of late. The
Miami Heat are currently atop the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 7-3. Bam Adebayo has been a big reason why they've had so much success to start the 2021-22 NBA season. Adebayo continues to make strides with his game on both sides of the floor, but he has become a serious weapon as a defender.
In his last three NBA games, Adebayo has averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per outing. He is exceptional athlete with the ability to defend multiple positions. Adebayo should find himself firmly in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year conversation if the Heat continue to stack up the wins.
#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 5; Games lost - 6
Last Week: PPG - 27.3, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.0
Overall: PPG - 27.6, APG - 5.8, RPG - 11.5
Last Week: FG% - 47.5%, 3P% - 27.8%, FT% - 70.0%
Overall: FG% - 50.7%, 3P% - 27.5%, FT% - 68.6%.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be one of the most dominant two-way players in the NBA.
Although the Bucks have dealt with many key injuries lately, Antetokounmpo has continued to be a force on both sides of the floor. After ranking third in last week's rankings, he maintains his spot this week. In the process, he continues to make a case as a serious contender in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
Giannis Antetekounmpo has done all he possibly can to carry the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks. In three games last week, he averaged 27.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. He continues to put up remarkable numbers across the board, so it is only a matter of time before he starts to climb up the rankings.
#2 Anthony Davis
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 6; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 19.3, APG - 2.7, RPG - 10.0
Overall: PPG - 23.9, APG - 2.7, RPG - 11.1
Last Week: FG% - 53.5%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 70.6%
Overall: FG% - 50.2%, 3P% - 12.5, FT% - 73.8%.
The LA Lakers have been struggling with inconsistency at the start of the 2021-22 NBA season. But Anthony Davis has been solid with his exploits on the court. Davis continues to be a favorite in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year conversation. He has shown the ability to be a disruptive force on both sides of the ball.
The talented Lakers forward remains second in this week's updated DPOY power rankings. But he continues to make some noise as a player who will be heavily involved in the conversation for this year's prestigious award.
In last week's games, Davis averaged 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals per outing.
#1 Rudy Gobert
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 8; Games lost - 3
Last Week: PPG - 13.5, APG - 1.3, RPG - 14.5
Overall: PPG - 16.7, APG - 1.0, RPG - 15.9
Last Week: FG% - 79.2%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 61.5%
Overall: FG% - 72.0%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 66.3%.
The Utah Jazz continue to be one of the most impressive teams in the NBA during the opening month of action.
One of the major reasons why the Jazz have had early success has been the continued impressive plays of big man Rudy Gobert. It shouldn't be a surprise to see Gobert cementing himself at the top of the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings.
Gobert continues to be one of the top defensive players in the league, and his production has backed that up this year.
Gobert impressed with his production on the floor last week for the Jazz. In four games, the Jazz big man averaged 13.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
If the Jazz continue to pile on wins and Gobert produces at this level, he's going to be a favorite to take home the Defensive Player of the Year award again.
