Hoops Habit
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Phoenix Suns: Mikal Bridges, Utah Jazz: Jordan Clarkson
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 24 (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

6. Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges is the Phoenix Suns’ Iron Man. In five seasons, he has never missed a game and is now the Suns’ only constant presence. Bridges ranks second in the league in total minutes played and takes on a heavy load by guarding opposing teams’ best perimeter scorers, but with much of the Suns’ offensive firepower missing, he is not also asked to produce more offensively.

That is a lot to carry while also aiming to make Defensive Player of the Year and All-Defensive First Team cases for himself, especially with their top two point guards who can set him up offensively in and out of the lineup. Last season, Bridges finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind only Marcus Smart, and made the All-Defensive First Team along with Smart, Jackson, Gobert, and Antetokounmpo.

This season, he picked up right where he left off by guarding some of the league’s most dangerous scorers. Over four games and 137.1 partial possessions, for example, Bridges took on CJ McCollum, holding him to only 38.5 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from behind the arc. Stephen Curry, who is the toughest guard to defend right now, shot only 35.3 percent on field goals and only 33.3 percent from three when guarded by Bridges.

Next. 5 rising stars that stood out in all-star voting. dark

Bridges’ defense is invaluable for the Suns, and he is still one of the best defenders in the league, but the competition is fierce this season. In the most recent Defensive Player of the Year ladder, he ranked fifth with the potential to move up.