1. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert vs Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis
Narrative is a funny thing. Sometimes, it’s difficult to determine whether it’s shaping the widespread perception of reality, or reality itself. For all its ambiguities, one thing is clear: it influences voting in individual awards in the NBA.
For that reason, Anthony Davis is in a prime position to steal the Defensive Player of the Year award from Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz. He had an injury-riddled 2020-21, playing in just 36 games and looking like a shell of himself in the NBA playoffs.
Voters will probably be chomping at the bit to award Anthony Davis an individual honor, but with LeBron James and Russell Westbrook sharing the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster, the MVP trophy is likely out of the question. Fortunately for Davis, he’s got the chops to win the Defensive Player of the Year award too.
Last season, Davis averaged 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game to go with an 104 Defensive Rating. In a way, Davis splits the stylistic difference between Gobert and Adebayo: he’s an elite rim protector (albeit, not on Gobert’s level) and a competent perimeter defender.
Couple his versatile, effective defensive skill set with the allure of a redemption narrative, and Defensive Player of the Year may be Davis’ to lose in 2021-22 with good health.
Utah Jazz fans won’t be overly concerned with Rudy Gobert’s Defensive Player of the Year standing, as long as their club is in the thick of NBA championship contention. Nonetheless, the Stifle Tower has a chance to earn his place in history this season. Here’s hoping he’ll pursue it.