NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Power Rankings featuring Draymond Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo and more | January 12th, 2022

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green continues his march for Defensive Player of the Year
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green continues his march for Defensive Player of the Year

No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 22; Games lost - 12

Last Week: PPG - 35.0, APG - 6.3, RPG - 9.7

Overall: PPG - 28.4, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.4

Last Week: FG% - 56.9%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 79.1%

Overall: FG% - 54.1%, 3P% - 28.4%, FT% - 70.0%

The Milwaukee Bucks (26-17) have won six of their past 10 games – but are 1-4 in their last four – and are fourth in the East. Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be a steady force.

Antetokounmpo has continued to be a dominant two-way force. In his last week, Antetokounmpo put up some eye-opening numbers. The versatile superstar averaged 35.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 56.9%.

No. 2: Rudy Gobert

G Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 1; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 37; Games won - 27; Games lost - 10

Last Week: PPG - 10.0, APG - 0.0, RPG - 17.0

Overall: PPG - 15.5, APG - 1.1, RPG - 15.1

Last Week: FG% - 37.5%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 66.7%

Overall: FG% - 70.6%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 68.3%

The Utah Jazz are third in the West, continuing as one of the NBA's most solid teams. Veteran center Rudy Gobert has continued to be a big piece of Utah's success.

After an impressive 10-point, 17-rebound performance last week, Gobert entered the league's health and safety protocols. The Jazz have lost three of their last four games during Gobert's absence. Those struggles illustrate how important Gobert has been on both sides of the floor. He's averaged 15.5 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game this season.

No. 1: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 28; Games lost - 6

Last Week: PPG - 2.3, APG - 5.7, RPG - 3.7

Overall: PPG - 7.9, APG - 7.4, RPG - 7.6

Last Week: FG% - 33.3%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - N/A

Overall: FG% - 53.7%, 3P% - 28.6%, FT% - 59.7%

Another week of the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings finds Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green at the top spot. After putting together a number of impressive stretches recently, Green suffered an ankle injury and is expected to be day-to-day moving forward.

He missed a number of games last week and was only able to play sparingly last week against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Green has impressed with his defensive ability, and even though he missed time last week, he still holds a firm lead in the DPOY conversation.

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