Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
14.9 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 0.9 steals
It feels like a boring choice, but Rudy Gobert is still the NBA’s benchmark for defensive excellence. After winning his first Defensive Player of the Year award last season, he has improved his all-around game while continuing to make his team better on the defensive end.
Despite their early-season struggles, the Jazz boast the fourth best defense in the league with a defensive rating of 104.6. When Gobert is off the court, that jumps to 106.2; when he’s on, it drops to 100.7, which would comfortably top the league.
He’s averaging 2.1 blocks per game, but he’s also that rare type of defender whose presence alone keeps opposition players from even shooting the paint. His length allows him to close out quickly on shooters, and he has made some (not heaps, but some) progress staying in front of perimeter players when switched.
With Ricky Rubio missing an extended stretch through injury, Gobert has had more responsibility covering for his guards and mopping up their mistakes. He’s done so with aplomb and with minimal fuss, and he remains the perfect foil for Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles and the rest of the Jazz roster.
The real questions will be asked of Gobert in the postseason, but until then he’s leading Utah’s renaissance and anchoring one of the league’s best defenses.
Honorable mentions: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers; Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder; Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors