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Dunking With Wolves Staff Picks: NBA Awards Roundtable

By Dylan Jackson

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game at Fiserv Forum on January 01, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game at Fiserv Forum on January 01, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Defensive Player of the Year:

DJ: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers

I know the common answer to this has been Rudy Gobert or Joel Embiid, but Ben Simmons was the best perimeter defender in the NBA this past year. Simmons finished third in steal percentage and first in steals per game. He also finished eighth in defensive box plus-minus and in the top-15 in defensive win shares. He is one of two players in the league that can guard any player on any team with effectiveness.

PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis has officially taken over the NBA this season. Giannis anchors one of the best defensive teams of the century, and his versatility on that end of the floor will help propel the Bucks deep into the playoffs.

PL: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis has once again been one of the top shot blockers in the NBA, but he has also sneakily good at stealing the ball. Davis has been reliable on the defensive end of the floor all season and he intimidates players who try to drive to the rim. He is probably considered one of the anchors of this team’s defensive this season.

More. Could the Wolves sign Anthony Davis?. light

TW: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Among players who defended at least 5 shots per game within 5 feet of the rim, interestingly, 5 of the top 14 players in field goal percentage allowed were Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis was the best of the bunch, allowing only 49 percent on shots he defended.

NA: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Antetokounmpo leads the league in defensive win shares and has one of the best defensive ratings among all players with his level of usage rates. On top of that, Milwaukee leads the league in terms of defensive efficiency, defensive rebounding, and points allowed in the paint. As the best defensive player on the league’s best defense, Giannis gets my vote for DPOY.

ZL: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

I tried to talk myself into a numbers of players for this award but I kept coming back to the Greek Freak. Antetokounmpo has been dominant as both an on-ball defender and rim protector while anchoring the NBA’s top defense. Just the thought of attempting to shoot a basketball over Antetokounmpo is enough to make me put the ball down and hand him the Defensive Player of the Year award.

AJ: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

If you look at any team in the NBA that benefits from one player on the defensive end the number one team has to be the Bucks. Without The Greek freak, they aren’t number one in defensive rating in the NBA, and not only that, they don’t have the 3rd best rating ever! Add to that the fact that by himself, he has the lowest field goal percentage at the rim, it’s a lock.

Final Tally:

Giannis Antetokounmpo (5), Ben Simmons (1), Anthony Davis (1)

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