The 2023-24 Defensive Player Of The Year (DPOY) race is shaping up to come down to the wire with five major candidates going for the award: Rudy Gobert, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and Jarrett Allen. One of these five players will almost certainly win the MVP trophy this season, but there is minimal separation between them at this point. Taking into account key defensive statistics and even team records, we have a full comparison of the five best candidates for the DPOY trophy.
Rebounds Per Game (RPG):
1. Rudy Gobert – 12.8 (5 Points)
2. Anthony Davis – 12.6 (4 Points)
3. Bam Adebayo – 10.7 (3 Points)
4. Victor Wembanyama – 10.7 (2 Points)
5. Jarrett Allen – 10.6 (1 Point)
Leading the pack for rebounders is three-time DPOY winner Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gobert’s towering presence in the paint has made him a perennial contender for the award. With an impressive 12.8 RPG, Gobert not only cleans the glass but his ability to secure rebounds consistently enables the Timberwolves to control the tempo of the game and limit second-chance opportunities for their opponents.
Close on Gobert’s heels is Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, a versatile big man known for his agility and shot-blocking prowess. Back to his best, Davis has managed to pull down 12.6 RPG, showcasing his tenacity and commitment on the defensive end. His combination of size, athleticism, and basketball IQ allows him to excel in rebounding situations and disrupt opponents’ offensive strategies.
Sharing the third spot is Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat and Victor Wembanyama, a rising star in the NBA. Adebayo, known for his physicality and high motor, averages 10.7 RPG. His relentless pursuit of rebounds and defensive intensity make him a crucial anchor for the Heat’s defensive schemes. On the other hand, Wembanyama, despite his young age, has demonstrated an innate ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
Rounding out the list is Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a reliable rim protector with a knack for positioning and timing. With 10.6 RPG, Allen’s presence in the paint provides the Cavaliers with stability and confidence on defense, making him a valuable asset in their quest for playoff contention although he is far off the top.
Steals Per Game (SPG):
1. Victor Wembanyama – 1.3 (5 Points)
2. Anthony Davis – 1.2 (4 Points)
3. Bam Adebayo – 1.1 (3 Points)
4. Jarrett Allen – 0.7 (2 Points)
5. Rudy Gobert – 0.6 (1 Point)
Leading the way in steals per game is the young French sensation, Victor Wembanyama, with 1.3 SPG. Despite his towering stature as a center, Wembanyama’s agility, length, and defensive instincts allow him to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers. His ability to anticipate plays and use his length effectively makes him a unique defensive talent, reminiscent of players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who can impact the game in multiple ways.
Just behind Wembanyama is Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, showcasing his versatility once again. With 1.2 SPG, Davis demonstrates his ability to guard multiple positions and use his athleticism to generate steals. His quick hands, combined with his shot-blocking abilities, make him a nightmare for opposing offenses, capable of turning defense into instant offense for the Lakers.
Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat follows closely with 1.1 SPG, highlighting his defensive tenacity and versatility. Adebayo’s athleticism, lateral quickness, and high basketball IQ enable him to excel in on-ball defense, disrupt pick-and-roll plays, and capitalize on opponents’ mistakes. Further down the list, Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers averages 0.7 SPG, reflecting his solid defensive fundamentals and positioning.
Rudy Gobert, often recognized for his rim protection, rounds out the category with 0.6 SPG. While Gobert may not accumulate steals at the same rate as his peers, his impact on the defensive end is undeniable. His ability to deter drives, alter shots, and anchor the defense often leads to turnovers and transition opportunities for the Timberwolves.
Blocks Per Game (BPG):
1. Victor Wembanyama – 3.6 (5 Points)
2. Anthony Davis – 2.4 (4 Points)
3. Rudy Gobert – 2.1 (3 Points)
4. Jarrett Allen – 1.1 (2 Points)
5. Bam Adebayo – 1.0 (1 Point)
Leading in blocks per game is Victor Wembanyama, with an astounding 3.6 BPG. Standing tall with exceptional length and timing, Wembanyama has quickly established himself as a defensive force in the paint. His ability to alter and reject shots not only disrupts opposing offenses but also instills fear and hesitation among opponents driving to the basket. Wembanyama’s shot-blocking capabilities are reminiscent of defensive legends like Dikembe Mutombo and Bill Russell, making him a standout candidate for the award.
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers follows closely with 2.4 BPG, reaffirming his reputation as a versatile defensive anchor. Davis’ combination of athleticism, timing, and basketball IQ allows him to protect the rim effectively and challenge shots both inside and out. His shot-blocking ability, coupled with his steals and rebounding, solidifies his status as one of the most impactful defenders in the league.
Rudy Gobert, the “Stifle Tower,” ranks third in the category with 2.1 BPG. Gobert’s presence in the paint serves as a formidable deterrent for opponents, altering shots and forcing them to reconsider their offensive strategies. His defensive instincts, positioning, and ability to contest without fouling make him a perennial candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers showcases his shot-blocking prowess with 1.1 BPG, emphasizing his fundamental soundness and rim protection abilities. Allen’s timing, verticality, and commitment to defense provide the Cavaliers with stability and confidence, particularly in defending the paint and deterring opponents’ drives. Lastly, Bam Adebayo’s numbers may not be as high as some of his counterparts, but his defensive versatility, switchability, and ability to guard multiple positions contribute to the Heat’s defensive schemes and success.
Defensive Win Shares (DWS):
1. Rudy Gobert – 5.6 (5 Points)
2. Anthony Davis – 4.6 (4 Points)
3. Bam Adebayo – 4.2 (3 Points)
4. Victor Wembanyama – 4.2 (2 Points)
5. Jarrett Allen – 3.7 (1 Point)
The Defensive Win Shares (DWS) metric offers a comprehensive view of a player’s overall defensive impact, taking into account various defensive contributions such as blocks, steals, rebounds, and individual defensive ratings. Rudy Gobert’s consistent dominance as a rim protector and interior defender is reflected in this statistic. His ability to anchor the defense, deter shots, and contribute across multiple defensive categories makes him a linchpin and a frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers follows closely with 4.6 DWS, underscoring his versatility and all-around defensive prowess. Davis’ combination of shot-blocking, steals, rebounding, and on-ball defense contributes significantly to the Lakers’ defensive success. Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat and Victor Wembanyama share the third spot with 4.2 DWS each, highlighting their defensive impact and versatility.
Rounding out the list is Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers with 3.7 DWS, reflecting his solid defensive contributions and impact on the team’s success. Allen’s shot-blocking, rebounding, and ability to defend the pick-and-roll contribute to the Cavaliers’ defensive stability and effectiveness, but he is far off the Frenchman, who holds the number one spot.
Defensive Rating (DRTG):
1. Rudy Gobert – 105.7 (5 Points)
2. Victor Wembanyama – 107.8 (4 Points)
3. Bam Adebayo – 110.1 (3 Points)
4. Anthony Davis – 110.7 (2 Points)
5. Jarrett Allen – 112.0 (1 Points)
Defensive Rating serves as a key metric in evaluating a player’s defensive impact by estimating the number of points allowed by a player per 100 possessions while they are on the court. A lower Defensive Rating generally indicates a more effective defender, showcasing their ability to limit opponents’ scoring opportunities and contribute to team defense.
Leading the pack in Defensive Rating is Rudy Gobert with an impressive 105.7. Gobert’s consistent excellence as a rim protector and interior defender is clearly reflected in this statistic. His ability to deter shots, alter opponents’ offensive strategies, and anchor the defense positions him as a top-tier defender year after year.
Following closely behind is rookie Victor Wembanyama with a Defensive Rating of 107.8. Despite his young age and relatively recent emergence on the global stage, Wembanyama’s defensive instincts, shot-blocking prowess, and overall defensive impact have garnered attention and praise from basketball enthusiasts and experts alike. While his Defensive Rating is slightly higher compared to Gobert and Wembanyama, Adebayo’s impact on the Heat’s defense cannot be understated even if he hasn’t won a category yet.
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers follows with a Defensive Rating of 110.7 while Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers has a Defensive Rating of 112.0. Davis’ and Allen’s solid defensive fundamentals, shot-blocking, and rim-protection abilities contribute to their team’s defensive stability. It seems that Gobert and Wembanyama are sharing spoils for category wins.
Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM):
1. Victor Wembanyama – 3.2 (5 Points)
2. Rudy Gobert – 1.7 (4 Points)
3. Anthony Davis – 1.7 (3 Points)
4. Bam Adebayo – 1.6 (2 Points)
5. Jarrett Allen – 0.9 (1 Point)
Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) is a metric that estimates a player’s impact on team defense per 100 possessions, taking into account various defensive contributions such as blocks, steals, rebounds, and defensive stops. A higher DBPM suggests a more significant positive impact on team defense. Let’s delve into the Defensive Box Plus/Minus statistics for the five candidates.
Leading the way in Defensive Box Plus/Minus is Victor Wembanyama, with an impressive 3.2. Following closely behind are Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis, both with a DBPM of 1.7. While Gobert’s Defensive Box Plus/Minus is slightly lower compared to Wembanyama, his impact on his team’s defense remains significant. Similarly, Davis’ all-around defensive prowess and impact on the Lakers’ defense make him a formidable force on that end of the floor.
Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat ranks fourth with a DBPM of 1.6 while Jarrett Allen’s solid defensive fundamentals, shot-blocking, and rim-protection abilities contribute to the Cavaliers’ defensive stability in every 100 possessions. Still, one of the two Frenchmen wins a category here.
Blocks Percentage:
1. Victor Wembanyama – 10.0 (5 Points)
2. Anthony Davis – 5.8 (4 Points)
3. Rudy Gobert – 5.5 (3 Points)
4. Jarrett Allen – 3.0 (2 Points)
5. Bam Adebayo – 2.7 (1 Point)
Blocks Percentage is a statistic that measures the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by a player while they are on the court. This metric provides valuable insights into a player’s shot-blocking ability and impact on opponent scoring opportunities.
Leading the category by a significant margin is Victor Wembanyama with an impressive Blocks Percentage of 10.0% which is almost double the second-placed Anthony Davis. The Frenchman looks primed to become this season’s blocks leader, even as a rookie. Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers follows with a Blocks Percentage of 5.8% while Rudy Gobert ranks third with a Blocks Percentage of 5.5%.
Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers follows with a Blocks Percentage of 3.0%, and Bam Adebayo is last with a Blocks Percentage of 2.7%. The competition for the Defensive Player of the Year award continues to be intense and captivating, with each candidate making a compelling case based on their Blocks Percentage, which gives the edge to rookie Wembanyama.
Steals Percentage:
1. Victor Wembanyama – 2.1 (5 Points)
2. Bam Adebayo – 1.7 (4 Points)
3. Anthony Davis – 1.6 (3 Points)
4. Jarrett Allen – 1.1 (2 Points)
5. Rudy Gobert – 0.9 (1 Point)
Steals Percentage measures the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by a player while they are on the court. This statistic provides insights into a player’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses, anticipate passes, and create turnovers. Leading this category is Victor Wembanyama with an impressive Steals Percentage of 2.1%. Despite his young age, Wembanyama’s defensive instincts, length, and agility allow him to excel in disrupting opponents’ offensive flow and creating scoring opportunities for his team.
Following closely behind Wembanyama are Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Jarrett Allen, and Rudy Gobert, each showcasing their defensive versatility and impact on their respective teams. Adebayo’s Steals Percentage of 1.7% reflects his defensive tenacity, quick hands, and high basketball IQ, contributing significantly to the Miami Heat’s defensive schemes and success. Davis and Allen, with Steals Percentages of 1.6% and 1.1% respectively, highlight their athleticism, anticipation, and ability to disrupt opponents’ offensive plays. Meanwhile, Gobert’s Steals Percentage of 0.9%, although lower compared to the other candidates, does not diminish his overall defensive impact and rim-protecting abilities for the Timberwolves.
Win/Loss Record (W/L Record):
1. Rudy Gobert – 55-24 (5 Points)
2. Jarrett Allen – 46-33 (4 Points)
3. Anthony Davis – 45-35 (3 Points)
4. Bam Adebayo – 44-35 (2 Points)
5. Victor Wembanyama – 20-59 (1 Point)
Rudy Gobert has spearheaded the best defense in the NBA, as the Minnesota Timberwolves ranks first in OPPG (106.0) and first in DEF RTG (110.3). Gobert has singlehandedly helped change the culture in Minnesota and his presence around the rim makes him win this category. Jarrett Allen has a talented team with the Cavaliers, as the team ranks seventh in OPPG (110.1) and seventh in defensive rating (115.0).
Davis has struggled to earn as many wins with the Lakers as Gobert and Allen, and the team only ranks 23rd in OPPG (117.3) and 15th in defensive rating (117.3). Without Davis, the Lakers would probably rank dead last in OPPG, considering these stats. Bam Adebayo has almost as many wins as Davis with the Heat, as Miami ranks fourth in OPPG (108.5). Wembanyama is famously playing with a poor Spurs team and the side only ranks 25th in OPPG (119.2).
Defensive Player Of The Year Rankings
1. Victor Wembanyama – 34 Points (5 Categories Won)
2. Rudy Gobert – 32 Points (4 Categories Won)
3. Anthony Davis – 31 Points (0 Categories Won)
4. Bam Adebayo – 22 Points (0 Categories Won)
5. Jarrett Allen – 16 Points (0 Categories Won)
Based on the full comparison, it is evident that Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert have emerged as the frontrunners in this race. Wembanyama’s impressive display across multiple defensive categories, winning five out of the nine metrics analyzed, underscores his burgeoning talent, exceptional shot-blocking instincts, defensive versatility, and overall impact on the court. Despite his young age as a rookie, Wembanyama will lead all players in blocks, and the advanced stats back up his impact on defense despite playing for a poor team.
On the other hand, Rudy Gobert, a seasoned veteran and perennial contender for the award, has once again showcased his consistent excellence, finishing closely behind Wembanyama with four categories won and a total of 32 points. Gobert’s imposing presence in the paint, rim-protecting abilities, defensive instincts, and overall impact on the NBA’s best defense with the Timberwolves means he has a great chance to win his fourth DPOY trophy which will place him alongside Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo as the only ones to ever do it.
While Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and Jarrett Allen have also demonstrated their defensive talents and contributions to their respective teams, it appears that this year’s race for the Defensive Player of the Year award is shaping up to be a thrilling two-horse competition between the emerging star, Victor Wembanyama, and the seasoned veteran, Rudy Gobert although the Spurs star might have the edge in raw numbers.
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