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Ranking the top 6 candidates for Defensive Player of the Year

By Elaine Blum

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MAY 11: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at FedExForum on May 11, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MAY 11: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at FedExForum on May 11, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

2. Dillon Brooks

Jackson is the most hailed defender on the Grizzlies’ roster, but they would not be the Grizzlies without Dillon Brooks. The Grizzlies play with a swagger, competitiveness, and strong will that sets them apart from other teams. They have found their identity and Brooks is at the very core of it as their smack-talking defensive bruiser. Brooks talks a lot and riles up opposing teams’ stars, but he also puts in all the work to back it up. He is not afraid to guard anyone and makes life on the court miserable for everyone who is unlucky enough to find themselves on his target list.

Just recently, Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell complained that Zion Williamson was unstoppable because he played football instead of basketball. When asked about the matchup, Brooks only shrugged his shoulders, said that he could play football too, and then proceeded to lock Williamson up. Over two games against the Pelicans, Brooks held Williamson, who is one of the strongest scorers in the league, to only 16.7 percent shooting from the field.

Brooks is a proud defender and is always ready for anything opponents throw at him, no matter whether it is a strong, physical forward or a quick and shifty guard. He held De’Aaron Fox to only 44.0 percent shooting from the field and Khris Middleton to a 14.3 field goal percentage and 25 percent from three. These are just some of the matchups Brooks faces on a nightly basis, but he has one of the highest average matchup difficulties in the entire league.

By playing at this defensive level, Brooks takes a big load off of the Grizzlies’ offensive-minded backcourt by taking on the responsibility of being a leader on defense. Brooks’ presence turns the Grizzlies into a defensive enigma because they have someone to guard the Williamsons and LeBron James’ of the league while also having two bigs to protect the rim. Not many teams can say that, and that is exactly what makes Brooks so important to the Grizzlies’ success.

While Jackson was out at the beginning of the season, Brooks could not hold down the defensive responsibilities by himself, but together, the two form a formidable defensive duo that has teams shooting only an average of 39.2 percent. In the latest Defensive Player of the Year Ladder, Brooks ranked third, behind only Brook Lopez and O.G. Anunoby. This means that the Grizzlies could not only finish this season at the top of the West but also with two All-Defensive players and a newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year.