Week 20 NBA DPOY Ladder: A new face tops the rankings

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 08, 2022 in New York City, Week 20 NBA DPOY Ladder: A new face tops the rankings. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Week 20 NBA DPOY Ladder: 1. Robert Williams III, Boston Celtics

Rank last week: 4

What the Boston Celtics have been able to accomplish on the defensive side of the ball this season is absolutely insane. Their numbers over the past couple of months are unheard of.

Since the start of the new year, they are allowing only 99.9 points a night. The next lowest mark in the league is the Dallas Mavericks with 102.3.

Boston’s defense has been so great that they’ve climbed all the way up to being the best defense in the league on the entire season. With how poorly they started the year, no one saw that coming.

And at the base of it all is big man Robert Williams. The young center plays a crucial role within Boston’s defensive scheme, and without him, they’d be nowhere close to the team they are today.

Instead of guarding opposing centers, the Celtics place Williams in the corner. Al Horford guards other big men, and Williams plays the role of a free safety, roaming over to block shots and play help defense.

And even when the opposing team tries to go at him with the wing or guard he’s matched up with in the corner, he’s smart and athletic enough to keep up with them.

Williams is an amazing defender with an insane ability to block any shot that comes his way. Combine that with Boston’s nutty defensive stats, and he’s the favorite for DPOY right now.

Next. NBA Power Rankings Week 20. dark