'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Having a resilient squad requires an unmitigated will to play defense on a nightly basis. It is no surprise that the teams currently leading the standings are playing solid basketball on the defensive side of the floor, while scoring consistently on the other end.
While most of the spotlight is drawn towards highlight plays trying to get buckets, the effort and energy in restraining the other team from scoring often goes unnoticed. Moreover, with the game shifting out drastically to the three-point line, the art of playing cramping defense has also evolved with time. And this year has only fallen in line with the norm.
In this piece, we take a closer look at the contenders for the DPOY hardware so far, and analyse what separates the defensive acumen of these players from the rest of the pack.
#5 Jayson Tatum
With the Boston Celtics back in solid shape this year, 21-year-old Jayson Tatum has also begun to retrace his projected path of being a quality basketball player after a season's lapse. He is playing with the same intensity and confidence that he showcased in his stellar rookie year, which had led many to believe in his imminent greatness.
Along with averaging a career-high 20.9 points per game, Tatum has been recording almost 1.5 steals per game (another career-high) on the defensive end as well. His impressive defensive rating of 100.2 reflects his loyalty to playing hard on the players assigned to him.
He has been accounting for over one-fourth of the team's defensive rebounds as well as steals single-handedly. The Duke product has been at his absolute best this year when it comes to handling tough defensive assignments, and is averaging just a sliver above 2 personal fouls per matchup while doing so.
#4 Joel Embiid
Known for his on-court dominance and off-court antics, Joel Embiid has been growing exponentially as a player with every passing season. After being chosen to the NBA's All-Defensive second team last season, Embiid has dialed up his defensive ferocity this year.
In the discussion for being one of the greatest bigs to ever play the game, the Cameroonian has been taking his performance on the defensive end pretty seriously. His pairing with Al Horford to protect the rim has been a major reason for Philly possessing an imposing defensive rating of 103.2.
“We are so big and we are aiming to be the top defense in the league. And we got the right guys to accomplish that,” Embiid said.
He has been setting the tone for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, as he accounts for 37% of their blocked shots and over 40% of the team's defensive boards.
#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo missed out on the DPOY trophy to Rudy Gobert last season, but ended up bagging the MVP award instead. Named to the NBA's All-Defensive First Team of 2018-19 as well, Giannis accomplished pretty much everything in the season that anyone could imagine.
In the ongoing year, Giannis is averaging 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks across the 24 games he has started in so far. While his defensive rating sits at an awe-inspiring mark of 96.8, Giannis is contributing to almost a third of the blocks his team records.
Simply put, the Greek Freak has been making sure he gives away no easy buckets in the paint. Moreover, his defensive rebounding average of 10.5 is a personal career-best.
His supreme work ethic has taken over the NBA, and the future of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise seems to have been nudged in the right direction for years to come.
#2 Kawhi Leonard
During his stint in Toronto, Kawhi Leonard made it to the NBA's All-Defensive Second team and ensured that he carried the same energy into the postseason.
To start off his 2019-20 defensive campaign, the Klaw is averaging almost 1.9 steals per contest (accounting for 35% of the team's) in a Los Angeles Clippers uniform. Standing at 6-foot-7, he is securing almost 7 defensive boards every game, with a majestic defensive rating of 98.
As a result of load management due to knee issues, Leonard has played and started in only 19 games this season so far. But he has looked crisp and sharp while executing the team's defensive schemes.
He made it to the All-NBA Defensive Second team last year, and is in line to bag the DPOY award this season given the ideal setup in LA.
#1 Anthony Davis
Coming off a disappointing year at New Orleans, Anthony Davis has now clearly announced his return on the world stage of basketball. His immaculate numbers on the offensive end would require a separate discussion, but let's focus on his defensive achievements and why he leads the DPOY race this year.
Davis is averaging a career-high 2.6 swats per game (second highest in the NBA). And while the Los Angeles Lakers are leading the league in blocks, he has been responsible for over 50% of their shot blocks this year so far.
His defensive rating sits at 104 at the moment and despite the abundance of length on the Lakers roster, he is pulling down 6.7 defensive boards per matchup.
Prior to his forgettable showing with the New Orleans Pelicans last year, Davis was a member of the All-Defensive First Team in 2018. He is en route to reclaiming his spot this year.
