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The NBA season has officially gotten underway as we find ourselves in week two of the year. There's been plenty of intriguing developments around the league, as well as some notable surprises. Some teams have struggled out of the gate with slow starts. Meanwhile, other teams such as the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls have been the talk of the league with their surprising start to the season.
With the 2021-22 NBA season officially starting, that means it's time to start tracking what players could be in contention for awards throughout the year. The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award continues to be one of the most intriguing accolades throughout the league. In the last four seasons, only two players have gone on to win the award. Those players include Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert, who has won the award three times. Let's take a look at some of the players who are making an early appearance in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year rankings.
#5 Robert Williams III
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Last Week: PPG - 9.0, APG - 1.3, RPG - 6.3
Overall: PPG - 9.0, APG - 1.3, RPG - 6.3
Last Week: FG% - 71.4%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 77.8%
Overall: FG% - 71.4%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 77.8%
Boston Celtics big man Robert Williams III deserves some recognition on this list. While other players might get more attention, Williams has been sensational and makes his debut on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year power rankings.
In just three games last week, Williams went on to average 3.0 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. He's been a serious factor on the defensive side of the ball with his ability to make plays and be disruptive to opposing offenses.
#4 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Last Week: PPG - 22.7, APG - 5.7, RPG - 10.7
Overall: PPG - 22.7, APG - 5.7, RPG - 10.7
Last Week: FG% - 45.1%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 70.4%
Overall: FG% - 45.1%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 70.4%
It shouldn't be much of a surprise to see Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo on this list. The talented superstar has been off to another great start this year, filling up the box score on both sides of the ball. During the opening week of action, Giannis went on to average 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals over the course of three games. It seems as if each year the "Greek Freak" continues to take serious strides in his game. With a physically imposing physique and the ability to defend multiple positions, Giannis will be a serious contender to find himself near the top of these rankings throughout the NBA season.
Also Read: Who is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Girlfriend, Mariah Riddlesprigger?
#3 Myles Turner
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Last Week: PPG - 17.7, APG - 0.3, RPG - 7.0
Overall: PPG - 17.7, APG - 0.3, RPG - 7.0
Last Week: FG% - 58.8%, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 58.3%
Overall: FG% - 58.8%, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 58.3%
It shouldn't be a surprise to see Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner near the top of these rankings. Even last year, Turner became a popular sleeper for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Unfortunately Turner would suffer an injury that required him to miss some time. Turner is healthy again and he's making his presence felt early in the year with his defensive talent.
In just three games to start out the NBA season, Turner was averaging 3.0 blocks per game. He's become one of the league's most dominant rim protectors and his ability to guard multiple positions on the floor makes him a candidate to be in the running for the Defensive Player of the year award.
#2 Rudy Gobert
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 2; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 2; Games won - 2; Games lost - 0
Last Week: PPG - 16.5, APG - 1.0, RPG - 20.5
Overall: PPG - 16.5, APG - 1.0, RPG - 20.5
Last Week: FG% - 62.5%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 81.3%
Overall: FG% - 62.5%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 81.3%
You didn't think last year's Defensive Player of the Year wasn't going to end up in the early power rankings, did you? Rudy Gobert has been one of the most dominant forces in the paint with his shot blocking ability. He uses his size and length to alter opponents' shots on a nightly basis.
Although the Utah Jazz only played two games in the opening week, Gobert went on to put up some eye-opening numbers. It's not a typo, as Gobert went on to dominate on the glass, posting back-to-back games with 20 rebounds or more. He should continue to see his defensive prescence rise throughout the year.
#1 Anthony Davis
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Last Week: PPG - 25.7, APG - 2.3, RPG - 11.0
Overall: PPG - 25.7, APG - 2.3, RPG - 11.0
Last Week: FG% - 49.2%, 3P% - 22.2%, FT% - 68.0%
Overall: FG% - 49.2%, 3P% - 22.2%, FT% - 68.0%
Although the Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a slow start this year, Anthony Davis has been impressive with his ability on both sides of the floor. Davis is known for being one of the most versatile forwards in the NBA. He has the ability to defend smaller opponents or lockdown bigger players on a nightly basis.
Davis has become one of the more impressive shot blockers across the league. In three games, he went on to average 2.7 blocks per game, and finds himself near the top of the leader board. If Davis can stay healthy, there's no doubt that he will find himself a serious contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
