The NBA recently announced the finalists for their end-of-season awards. Although many of the finalists are no-brainers, some candidates could be debated. The 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year race has seemingly been a two-man battle for most of the season between Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama. However, there are plenty of other qualified candidates who deserve recognition. The finalists for the award this year are Gobert, Wembanyama, and Bam Adebayo. While it seems likely Gobert will take home the award, Wembanyama has made a case to earn the honor in his rookie season. However, Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis believes he is being overlooked for the award. The Kentucky alum made his frustration known, saying he will “never get” the DPOY award.
“I’ll never get it. The league doesn’t like me. I’m the best defensive player in the league. I can switch 1 through 5. I can guard the pick-and-roll the best in the league, from a big standpoint. I block shots. I rebound.”
– AD on the DPOY
(h/t @LADEig ) pic.twitter.com/R3dXYv6N4B
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 22, 2024
Throughout his 12-year NBA career, Davis has been one of the best defensive players in the league. In that time, the 31-year-old is a four-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection and a three-time blocks champion.
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Austin Reaves recently spoke about Davis’ defensive impact, calling him “the best defender in the league.”
He’s definitely lost in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. In my opinion, he’s the best defender in the league. I can factually say my side of the story, but then you could look at the numbers of when he’s on the court and when he’s off the court with our unit and see the differences defensively for us. In my opinion, he’s the Defensive Player of the Year.
Furthermore, head coach Darvin Ham previously talked about Davis’ versatility on defense.
“That’s why, to me, he should be at the top of the lists, in terms of defensive player of the year,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “Just his versatility to protect the rim, play in the in-between, show his hands, move his feet, guard out beyond the three-point line, not foul and to force guys into difficult situations.”
Anthony Davis vs. Bam Adebayo
Davis is certainly one of the top defensive players in the league. His shot-blocking ability and overall presence in the paint is elite. Because of this, he deserves recognition. Gobert and Wembanyama deserve to be finalists for the DPOY award. Ultimately, it comes down to whether Davis deserves the final spot over Adebayo. This season, Davis is averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Adebayo, on the other hand, is averaging 0.9 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. While Davis’ counting stats are better, the team defense is important to factor in. During the regular season, Davis’ Lakers finished with. 114.8 DRTG, 17-best in the NBA. The Miami Heat finished with a 111.5 DRTG, fifth-best in the NBA.
It is fair to say as an individual player, Davis was a better defender than Adebayo last season. However, Adebayo was the anchor on a far better defensive team. Regardless, both players deserved a vote in the award race.
