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2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 10 Defensive Player Of The Year Candidates

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 10, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) passes the ball out against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) passes the ball out against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defensive Player Of The Year
Dec 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) blocks the shot attempt by Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the second half at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards won 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo got the most attention this season for being a Most Improved Player frontrunner, for his breakout All-Star year, for leading the Milwaukee Bucks back to the playoffs despite their injury woes and for being the fifth player in NBA history to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals AND blocks per game.

However, his progress on the defensive end of the floor shouldn’t be lost among all those impressive feats. The Greek Freak is not only a point forward on the offensive end of the floor, but on defense as well, where he uses his length to swarm opponents no matter what position he’s guarding.

Though he’s not quite a Draymond Green, 1-5 type of defender yet, he’s getting pretty darn close at only 22 years old. From guarding wing players to switching on pick and rolls to banging down low with centers, every day Giannis grows closer to being a two-way terror.

His 41.5 Defensive Field Goal Percentage held opponents 4.8 percent below their normal efficiency, and around the basket, he was one of the NBA’s best rim protectors, limiting opponents to 51 percent on shots inside of six feet — 11.2 percent worse than they’d normally shoot, per NBA.com.

Danny Green deserves a shout-out for being the hardest omission, especially as the second-best defender on the NBA’s stingiest defense, but Giannis being the only player this season to average at least 1.9 blocks and 1.6 steals per game this year gives him the edge.