Who is your 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year? (Update: Jaren Jackson wins DPOY!)

[FAH1223]

We talk about the MVP. Who's the DPOY this season?



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If the 2022-23 season ended today, how would you vote for first, second and third for this award?

Aldridge: Right now, with a month left in the season — which means I can change my mind — I’d probably go JJJr., Brook Lopez and Giannis.

Edwards: I’d go Brook Lopez, Giannis Antenkounmpo and Bam Adebayo, in that order.

Robbins: This is a preliminary ballot, with lots of research left to do, but right now I’d vote Jaren Jackson Jr., Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday, in that order.

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Why would you vote that way?

Aldridge: Memphis’ defense is anchored by Jackson, and it’s been top three all season in most of the advanced metrics. He’s missed some time this season (he’d played in 49 of the Grizzlies’ 66 games entering Monday), but unless he has a bad injury down the stretch, I think he’ll have seen enough action to qualify. I don’t care much about the supposed controversy on Jackson’s stats at home versus on the road. My advocacy for him doesn’t depend on his counting stats; it’s his presence that tips the scales. The Grizz lead the league in opponent field goal percentage and percentage allowed at or near the rim, and are fourth in opponent paint points. Jackson has his hands all over those stats, which matter more than his total blocks and/or steals. (And people I respect argue that there really isn’t much controversy about Jackson’s blocks). It’s close, though. Lopez has been outstanding for Milwaukee on D, and I’ll have no problem if he gets the award. His candidacy is similar to Marc Gasol’s (ironically, for Memphis) a few years ago: Lopez is just so smart and uses his mind and body so seamlessly in always being in the right place defensively, anchoring a team that is elite at that end of the floor. And Giannis is … Giannis. His defensive credentials are obvious, and spectacular.


Edwards: If Lopez isn’t blocking shots, then he’s heavily contesting them. He’s such a smart defender and understands personnel so well that it makes up for his lack of foot speed. He’s the anchor of a drop-coverage scheme and top defense. As for Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, they both could very easily be No. 1 on my list, too. Both carry the characteristics of a versatile, elite stopper that I mentioned above — can guard at the rim and in space. They’re the full package. Their physical gifts and athleticism really allow them to excel on this end of the floor, but they’re both very smart players who analyze the game well. If I needed one stop to win a game, I’d happily live with Antetokounmpo or Adebayo on an island with anyone in the league. With that said, though, Lopez is just a monster and puts the fear of God into people whenever he’s near the rim. His positioning and timing is second to none.

Robbins: Through Sunday’s games, Memphis ranked third in the league in defensive efficiency, trailing Cleveland and Milwaukee by the slimmest of margins, and Jackson is Memphis’ most critical contributor. I tend to be careful with on/off numbers, but through Sunday, the Grizzlies allowed 104.0 points per 100 possessions with Jackson on the floor and 111.6 points per 100 possessions with Jackson on the bench. That’s a significant discrepancy. What concerns me about Jackson’s candidacy is that he played in only 49 of Memphis’ 66 games through Sunday, and he’ll have to remain relatively healthy the rest of the way to maintain this spot on my ballot. I agree with the conventional wisdom about Lopez’s contributions to Milwaukee’s superb defense, and Lopez may overtake Jackson on my ballot in part because of his durability this season.

 

[Long Live The Kane]

No Mobley in the poll?

 

[mastermind]

It’s probably Jarren Jackson, Jr, but Brook Lopez should win it.

 

[FAH1223]

No Mobley in the poll?

Added. CLE is represented by its twin towers.

 

[knickscrusaderm]

Draymond Green

 

[VegetasHairline]

Nikola Jokic

 

[get these nets]

Do the Bucks players cancel each other out?

 

[Sir Richard Spirit]

Brook Lopez will be 35 April 1st.

 

[Goat poster]

Jackson

Then maybe Lopez

Giannis could win almost every year tho cause he is always amazing on that end along with his crazy offensive output.

But yeah Jackson is a really good defensive anchor and the Grizz are so much better defensively with him.

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Do the Bucks players cancel each other out?

It hasn’t happened in previous years when Giannis won DPOY, so it shouldn’t happen this year.

 

[get these nets]

It hasn’t happened in previous years when Giannis won DPOY, so it shouldn’t happen this year.

Was Lopez beasting defensively in those years?

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Was Lopez beasting defensively in those years?

Yes and Jrue was as well. They were mehhhh last year with Lopez out with the back injury, so he’s been key for years now for them.

 

[Rekkapryde]

3J

 

[Anerdyblackguy]

I doubt they give it to a guard in back to back years but Jrue Holiday should win it.

 

[Long Live The Kane]

Yes and Jrue was as well. They were mehhhh last year with Lopez out with the back injury, so he’s been key for years now for them.

Jrue wasn’t on the team the year Giannis won