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Utah Jazz: Who is Rudy Gobert’s competition for Defensive Player of the Year?

By Jared Woodcox

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz attempts to block a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz attempts to block a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 13: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans blocks a shot by Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center on December 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 13: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans blocks a shot by Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center on December 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Anthony Davis

As a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year Award last season, expect Anthony Davis to come hard for the award. He’s long been heralded as a superstar and as he continues to rise in all aspects, his defensive game is certain to continue to surge as well.

Big men tend to be favorites to win the DPOY, so Davis will have an inherent advantage. Factor in as well his prowess and popularity, and if he can continue to be a shot-blocking, rim-protecting force as well as lead his New Orleans Pelicans squad to becoming one of the top defenses in the league, he’ll absolutely be heavily considered for this award.

He finished third in DPOY voting last season behind Gobert and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, so he’s certainly already on the award radar. Davis put up 2.6 blocks per contest last season, while finishing in the top three of his team in defensive rating with a solid 103.5 mark. Davis is known for shutting down opposing bigs while deterring guards from daring to challenge him in the paint.

Between his size, popularity, unique skill set and possible success of his team in 2018-19, I’d certainly place Davis among the favorites to challenge Gobert for DPOY.

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