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The 2021-22 NBA season continues to march on, and there's been plenty of storylines to monitor throughout the opening month of the year. As the season progresses, there are plenty of teams that are wanting to make their presence felt throughout the league. Although there are still some franchises that have gotten off to a slow start, these next couple of weeks are when teams should start to find their groove.
Everyone loves to keep a close eye on the scoring production that players across the NBA have on a nightly basis. But there's also been some impressive players that have stood out with their ability on the defensive side of the ball. Last week featured our debut in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year power rankings and this installment is going to feature a new face as well as some movement in the top 5. Let's take a look at this week's installment of potential defensive player of the year candidates to keep a close eye on.
#5 Bam Adebayo
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 7; Games won - 6; Games lost - 1
Last Week: PPG - 22.0, APG - 1.3, RPG - 13.7
Overall: PPG - 20.8, APG - 1.5, RPG - 13.8
Last Week: FG% - 52.4%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 95.7%
Overall: FG% - 51.1%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 85.4%
After just missing the cut in last week's NBA Defensive Player of the Year power rankings, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo makes his debut here at number five. There's no denying that the Miami Heat have looked like one of the scariest teams in the NBA as of now. They find themselves with a 6-1 record and one of the big reasons why is the play of center Bam Adebayo.
Adebayo is off to a terrifying start to the regular season. He's currently averaging career highs in a number of categories, including points per game and rebounds per game. With the way the Miami Heat have been playing as of late, it's only a matter of time before Adebayo starts to generate some national buzz as a potential Defensive Player of the Year contender.
#4 Myles Turner
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 0; Games lost - 4
Overall: Games played - 8; Games won - 2; Games lost - 6
Last Week: PPG - 8.5, APG - 1.8, RPG - 7.8
Overall: PPG - 13.3, APG - 1.0, RPG - 7.5
Last Week: FG% - 40.0%, 3P% - 26.7, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 53.6%, 3P% - 32.4%, FT% - 65.6%
Although the Indiana Pacers have struggled to start out the year, center Myles Turner has continued to impress with his ability on the defensive side of the ball. The versatile big man continues to be a dangerous weapon with his shot blocking ability for the Pacers. In just his last week, Turner went on to average 2.8 blocks per game. Over the course of the entire NBA season, he finds himself with an average of 2.9 blocks per game.
Turner has always been known for his ability to be a rim protecting asset in the NBA. He was off to a strong start last year, one in which many thought could have him considered a sleeper for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, but Turner unfortunately missed an extended period of time with an injury. After finding himself third in the power rankings last week, Turner fell one spot to fourth overall.
#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 8; Games won - 4; Games lost - 4
Last Week: PPG - 30.8, APG - 6.3, RPG - 11.5
Overall: PPG - 27.4, APG - 6.4, RPG - 10.8
Last Week: FG% - 58.2%, 3P% - 27.3, FT% - 71.4%
Overall: FG% - 53.4%, 3P% - 31.6, FT% - 73.9%
After making his debut in fourth place in the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings last week, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has started to climb. Although the Bucks have dealt with a number of injuries as of late, Giannis continues to impress with his play. Last week alone, Giannis went on to produce 30.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. During that span, he also managed to average 1.8 blocks per game.
There's no doubt that Giannis continues to do the majority of the heavy lifting for the Bucks as they deal with injuries. That being said, Antetokounmpo looks more determined than ever with his play on the court. Over the course of the year, Giannis is currently averaging 2.0 blocks per game and continues to be a force defensively with his versatility.
#2 Anthony Davis
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 8; Games won - 5; Games lost - 3
Last Week: PPG - 24.0, APG - 2.8, RPG - 11.8
Overall: PPG - 25.0, APG - 2.6, RPG - 11.1
Last Week: FG% - 48.8%, 3P% - 12.5%, FT% - 86.7%
Overall: FG% - 50.3%, 3P% - 15.0, FT% - 72.9%
The Los Angeles Lakers have finally started to find their groove during the opening month of the NBA season and forward Anthony Davis continues to be a big reason why. Davis has continued to produce impressive numbers across the board and he will continue to be a serious contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Davis and the Lakers have started to rack up a number of wins. During a four-game stretch last week, Davis shined on the defensive side of the ball. He went on to average 2.0 blocks per game last week, while helping the Lakers win three of their last four games. The talented forward is now currently averaging 2.4 blocks per game this year.
#1 Rudy Gobert
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 7; Games won - 6; Games lost - 1
Last Week: PPG - 16.3, APG - 1.0, RPG - 15.5
Overall: PPG - 15.7, APG - 1.0, RPG - 17.6
Last Week: FG% - 77.8%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 67.6%
Overall: FG% - 72.3%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 71.2%
After finding himself ranked second overall in last week's power rankings, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert is positioned first overall in this week's installment. This Utah team has continued to start off the year on a strong note and Gobert's play has been a big reason why. After starting off the season with a back-to-back 20-rebound performance, Gobert has continued to be a dominant presence on both sides of the floor.
During the Utah Jazz last week of games, Gobert went on to average 16.3 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. The Jazz would go on to win 3 out of 4 of those games, and currently find themselves with a 6-1 record to start the season. Gobert is currently averaging 2.0 blocks per game throughout the entire year.
