Klay Thompson
This is another one that may come as a surprise, especially considering that Klay Thompson has never even made an All-NBA Defensive Team. However, Thompson has long been known as a defensive ace and two-way extraordinaire, often tasked with guarding some of the league’s best players.
Sometimes he’s overlooked since he plays with the versatile Draymond Green, but make no mistake about it, Thompson is an elite defender. And apparently he’s tired of that aspect of his game being overlooked, so watch for him to aim to prove the doubters wrong this time around. In a recent interview with The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Thompson made the following comment–
"“The past few years, there’s been some guys where I’m like, ‘Man, I know I’m a better defender than him.’ I really want to make one of those teams. I think I put the work in on both ends to get that recognition.”"
In other words, while perhaps Defensive Player of the Year may be a stretch, the fact that Thompson is going to aim to expand his defensive game to make himself worthy of an All-NBA Defensive Team nod is quite intimidating. He’s already so proficient on that end that if he’s able to take a leap and assert himself further, he could very well emerge as a DPOY competitor.
Add in the extra goal and chip on the shoulder, not to mention the fact that he plays for arguably the most elite team in NBA history, and Thompson may only solidify his case further.