Brook Lopez Defensive Player of the Year

We’ve reached the midpoint of a wild and unpredictable NBA season, and even more questions have arisen — just how good are the Bucks? Can the Golden State switch on? — than the answer. Midpoints also means knowing which player has taken his award position this NBA postseason. At this point in the season, throughout the week he’ll have some of the NBA’s top picks for his awards. today:

NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Brook Lopez

2.OG Anunoby
3. Jarrett Allen

If I had to choose who would win the award when the actual voting took place in April, I wouldn’t think too much – Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies. The only reason he’s not on the list right now is that he’s not on the list right now, protecting the rim (stacking 3.2 blocks per game) and underpinning Memphis’ second-ranked defense. He missed the first 14 games of the season after having foot surgery. yet. He. He will probably win an award.

Except for Jackson, no one has gotten away with DPOY this season. This race is still wide open.

For now, Brook Lopez tops the list as an anchor and stabilizing force on the Bucks’ defense and ranks third in the league. Lopez leads the NBA in total blocks (101) and They are tied on leads per game (2.6). With Milwaukee weakening the Bucks’ perimeter defense, injuries forced players in and out of the lineup, but Lopez was the dropback anchor that held it all together.He and Giannis Antetokounmpo mentioned in this category Deservedly, Lopez was more important to the Bucks’ success this season.

Anunoby has been the best perimeter defender in the league this season (and I appreciate that more than anyone else). He’s Lockdown’s wing his defender — Kevin Durant, Paolo his Banchero, and Donovan Mitchell all go against him with less than 40% of him — plus he deflects them all, averaging 2.3 steals per game (league highest) is recorded. As well as advanced stats like him (estimated plus/minus for 3rd best defense in dunks & threes). Jarrett Allen has been the anchor behind his team of the best defensive players in the NBA this season.

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Other players being considered for the award include Draymond Green, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner.

Learn more about the Milwaukee Bucks

Three things to know: Durant will be out for a few weeks, but Curry will be back on Tuesday. Watch Jalen Brunson hit 44. Not good enough for a 3 point shot.

NBA Midseason Awards: Brook Lopez Defensive Player of the Year featured on NBCSports.com