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The race for the Defensive Player of the Year award continues to heat up. As the midway point of the year passes, many teams have started to make their march up the standings in their respective conferences.
The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors continue to battle for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Memphis Grizzlies continue to climb as well, as the upstarts have been one of the league's best stories.
The Eastern Conference has featured teams starting to get hot. The Miami Heat have surged atop the standings again, while the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks continue to claw away.
With another week passing, it's time to take a look at the updated Defensive Player of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.
No. 5: Joel Embiid
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 36; Games won - 25; Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 40.0, APG - 3.8, RPG - 11.3
Overall: PPG - 29.0, APG - 4.3, RPG - 10.8
Last Week: FG% - 58.0%, 3P% - 57.1%, FT% - 83.7%
Overall: FG% - 49.9%, 3P% - 38.0%, FT% - 81.9%
Even though the Philadelphia 76ers are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, the team remains within striking distance of the top half. Superstar big man Joel Embiid has been dominant lately.
Embiid is rising as a contender for a number of awards. In his last week, he averaged 40.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 58.0%, including an eye-opening 57.1% from downtown. If he can keep up this type of play, he will creep up in the Defensive Player of the Year ranks.
No. 4: Mikal Bridges
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 46; Games won - 37; Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 14.0, APG - 4.0, RPG - 6.3
Overall: PPG - 12.1, APG - 2.1, RPG - 4.1
Last Week: FG% - 53.1%, 3P% - 22.2%, FT% - 85.7%
Overall: FG% - 50.6%, 3P% - 37.5%, FT% - 85.7%
The Phoenix Suns (37-9) are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the Western Conference. They have won nine of their last ten games, including a current seven-game winning streak. Versatile wing Mikal Bridges continues to be one of the most important players on their roster.
Although not called upon to carry the load offensively, Bridges has generated buzz as one of the NBA's top wing defenders. Bridges will be a name mentioned throughout the year as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He's coming off an efficient week which saw him average 14.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 53.1%.
No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 39; Games won - 25; Games lost - 14
Last Week: PPG - 30.0, APG - 5.3, RPG - 11.0
Overall: PPG - 28.6, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.3
Last Week: FG% - 45.6%, 3P% - 30.0%, FT% - 73.5%
Overall: FG% - 53.1%, 3P% - 28.2%, FT% - 71.4%
The Milwaukee Bucks are just one game behind the top spot in the East. Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to dazzle fans with his play on both sides of the court.
Giannis has been a force as usual, and is a major reason why the team has suddenly found themselves in a groove. In his last week, Giannis averaged 30.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 45.6%.
No. 2: Rudy Gobert
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 42; Games won - 29; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 19.5, APG - 2.0, RPG - 14.3
Overall: PPG - 16.0, APG - 1.2, RPG - 15.1
Last Week: FG% - 66.7%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 78.6%
Overall: FG% - 70.7%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 69.0%
After impressing through the opening months, the Utah Jazz have started to struggle recently. The Jazz still find themselves holding down the fourth spot in the West, and they will be looking to get back on track. Big man Rudy Gobert continues to be a force with his play on both sides of the ball.
The defensive anchor has continued to be sensational with his play in the paint and has been a rebounding machine. In his last week, Gobert averaged 19.5 points, 14.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 66.7%.
No. 1: Draymond Green
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - N/A; Games won - N/A; Games lost - N/A
Overall: Games played - 31; Games won - 22; Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - N/A, APG - N/A, RPG - N/A
Overall: PPG - 7.9, APG - 7.4, RPG - 7.6
Last Week: FG% - N/A, 3P% - N/A, FT% - N/A
Overall: FG% - 53.7%, 3P% - 28.6%, FT% - 59.7%
Another week of the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings features Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green in the top spot. Although Green has been sidelined lately with an injury, he's still considered a favorite in the race for the prestigious award. It will be interesting to see how long Green will be sidelined, as there are plenty of other players on this list that are starting to heat up.
Green has been one of the most important pieces to the Warriors' success this year. He's been the reason Golden State continues to stand out with its defensive play. Green is averaging 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game.
