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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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Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo #13 of the (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

5. Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo’s Achilles’ heel in the Defensive Player of the Year race seems to be his status as a center. The center position is incredibly crowded when it comes to defensive honors. Last season, Adebayo even made the All-Defensive Second Team (which he made three years in a row) as a forward because Rudy Gobert and Robert Williams already took up the two center spots.

Adebayo finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting two seasons in a row, which he considered an oversight, but also told the media that he would use it as motivation to work even harder this season. The Heat’s big man is a defense-first player, which is rare in today’s NBA, and deserves some recognition for his hard work. He came into the season with the second-best odds to win Defensive Player of the Year, behind only Gobert because he is one of the most versatile big man defenders in the league, as he can guard all positions and switch onto anyone.

Anchoring Miami’s defense, Adebayo’s impact on that end of the floor is often what keeps the team afloat in games when they are struggling to score. Adebayo is also having a good offensive season, throwing his name into the All-Star conversation, but he could not crack the top three in the latest Defensive Player of the Year ladder. There is still time for Adebayo to step up his game and surpass some of the players in front of him, though. He certainly is a special defensive talent and would be a great nominee for the award.