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The winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award last year was an interesting one. Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged as the comfortable winner, many argued that Anthony Davis deserved the award over the Greek Freak.
For the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, the race could be a close one. On that note, let us take a look at the Top 5 early contenders for 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Top 5 early contenders for the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award
Considering his exploits in the 2019-20 regular season, Anthony Davis could be one of the favorites for the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. His defensive prowess for the LA Lakers was seemingly overlooked by many, something that may not happen again next year.
However, the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award could be a wide open one. Without further ado, let us take a look at the top 5 early contenders for the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
#5 Bam Adebayo
The chances of Bam Adebayo, who came fourth in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award last year, might have received a boost for the next edition of the award, considering the player's contribution in the Miami Heat's run to the 2020 NBA Finals.
During the Heat's 2020 Playoff run, Adebayo was a key player on both sides of the floor. He led the team in total rebounds and blocked shots while as a starter, he also had the best defensive rating among players in the team.
Adebayo can be a good rim protector and is an athletic big who should be able to stay with guards. If his defensive game continues to improve, Adebayo might have good chances to win the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
#4 Rudy Gobert
Already a two-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award, Frenchman Rudy Gobert is likely to be in the mix for the 2021 edition of the award as well.
Gobert is an extraordinary rim protector who has come off of his best season in the NBA in terms of rebounds (13.5 per game, 10.1 defensive rebounds). He will certainly be in the reckoning for the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
If he wins the coveted award, he will become only the fourth player in history to do so at least three times after Dikembe Mutombo (4), Ben Wallace (4) and Dwight Howard (3).
With the Utah Jazz expected to remain a playoff team in the West, Gobert will be in the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year conversation. An average of 2.2 blocks per game during his seven-year all-star career is an impressive number for Gobert who had previously won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in successive seasons (2017-18 and 2018-19).
#3 Draymond Green
The returning Draymond Green will be a contender for the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award if the Golden State Warriors could live up to their lofty expectations next season.
With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson returning from long-term injuries, the Golden State Warriors will look to return to their 2014 to 2016 glory years under Steve Kerr.
If that happens, Draymond Green could compete for the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and maybe take home his second such award after first winning it in 2016-17.
Green's defence has been key for the Warriors ever since the player became a fixture in the franchise's starting lineup under Kerr. If the Golden State return to their winning ways, Green's contribution in defence and offence will be essential for the franchise.
A rejuvenated GSW team will be fun to watch, and Green is likely to thrive on the defensive side of the ball and be in the conversation for the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Big men have usually dominated the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, with four of last year's top five contenders matching that description.
However, Giannis Antetokounmpo won the award while playing a mixed defense. He can guard perimeter players, protect the rim, close lines for the opposing offense, battle in the post and grab rebounds with high consistency (11.4 defensive rebounds per game last year).
Giannis Antetokounmpo's chances to win the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award are very high. He led the NBA's best defensive team in the regular season and would need a similar performance next year to win another NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
If he takes home the coveted award in 2021, he will become the tenth player to do so in consecutive years, with Sidney Moncrief, Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, Ben Wallace (twice), Dwight Howard, Kawhi Leonard and Rudy Gobert being the others.
#1 Anthony Davis
The strongest candidate for the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award is Anthony Davis of the LA Lakers.
Already an NBA champion, Anthony Davis has earned the respect he deserves as he looks to win the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Overlooked for the award in last year's regular season, with many questioning if he would be able to perform under pressure, Davis answered those questions emphatically in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
He could certainly do in 2021 what Giannis Antetokounmpo did last year, that is win the NBA MVP and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Although he is recognized for his defensive prowess since entering the league, Davis only received 14 first-place votes for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award last year compared to Antetokounmpo's 75. That was even after Davis led the first-seeded Lakers in the West in the defensive rebounds, blocks, steals and defensive rating categories.
Next year, Davis' role during the regular season could become more pronounced as LeBron James might take a step back to prepare for the NBA Playoffs.
If he is able to thrive in his role, it could mean a lot of individual honors for Davis - the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and possibly the 2021 NBA MVP award as well.
If Anthony Davis does end up winning the 2021 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, he would only be the second LA Lakers player to do it after Michael Cooper in 1987.
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