Defensive Player of the Year
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
This is by far the closest thing to a favourite you’ll see here, but the Defensive Player of the Year seems to follow a fairly set trend. First, a player needs to earn their reputation as a defender to even be considered. After that, it’s about what they do that stands out from the pack that decides the winner.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has started to build his defensive reputation, even if he does often play a lone hand for the Milwaukee Bucks. He has led his team in blocks over the past two seasons and steals in one of them, and he held opponents to just 41.9 percent shooting from the field last year. For reference, that’s just ahead of All-Defensive guard Jrue Holiday (42.3) and not too far behind Joel Embiid and Al Horford (40.9).
Winning over the NBA’s award voters shouldn’t be a problem; Antetokounmpo is the rare kind of player that grabs your attention on the defensive end. His never-ending arms swallow up opposing ball handlers, and his penchant for big blocks regularly lands him on the nightly highlight reels.
New Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer should help the team’s defense improve, which would further strengthen Antetokounmpo’s case. His defensive scheme should be less gung-ho than Jason Kidd‘s insane blitzing, and more sound than Joe Prunty’s interim patch-up job.
Budenholzer will take the Bucks to new heights, particularly on defense, and that’s good news for Giannis. If he can maintain or improve his individual play within a better framework, then his numbers and reputation should continue to climb.