'%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)
The NBA has announced the finalists for its annual awards. That includes those for the Hakeem Olajuwon trophy, better known as the Defensive Player of the Year award: Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, three-time DPOY winner Rudy Gobert and San Antonio Spurs and league-leading shot blocker Victor Wembanyama.
While the list boasts a group of capable defenders, many NBA fans disagree. Several were up in arms with the exclusion of LA Lakers All-Star big man Anthony Davis.
Twitter user @A_Riggo made his feelings known, posting a graphic to point out why AD should be on the list:
"This award is a f***ing joke. NBA needs to stop letting the media vote for this award."
"AD not even being named a finalist is absolutely atrocious for the league," @LakerGOAT17 tweeted.
"What more does Anthony Davis have to do?" @CamAlexander22 asked.
Other fans were content with the finalists, giving their shoutouts or support to the person they thought will be the winner.
"It's Bam and it's not even close," @Jaylon2225 wrote.
"If it's not Victor, then this award is a joke," @K_Earls32 weighed in.
"Rudy finna be 4x. The best defender of his generation," M@MattSanchez tweeted.
The award winners will be determined through votes. The voters will come from analysts, sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA.
Also read: NBA Awards 2024: All finalists for MVP, DPOY, ROY, 6MOY, MIP & more revealed
Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama led the NBA in two major defensive statistics
The NBA uses plenty of metrics to determine the impact a player has. There are now several measurements for players such as their quantified defensive and offensive ratings as well as their win shares.
This season, Rudy Gobert led the league in defensive win shares at 5.8 and in individual defensive rating at 104.5. This has translated to the Minnesota Timberwolves leading the league in overall defensive rating at 106.5.
Their team defense, which revolves around Gobert's ability to contest shots in the paint, allowed them to go 56-26 and land the third seed in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, rookie Victor Wembanyama was the league leader in blocks per game with 3.6, blocks (254) and block percentage (10.0). However, this has not translated into team success for the young San Antonio Spurs. However, it's a sign of great things to come for Wemby and the Spurs franchise which is looking to get back to being a winning team after a few seasons at the bottom of the league.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
