NBA DPOY Ladder Week 21: A guard enters the top five

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 06: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is defended by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on December 06, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, NBA DPOY Ladder Week 21: A guard enters the top five. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

In recent days, the debate over who should be the Defensive Player of the Year award has begun to heat up. People on Twitter have thrown a ton of people’s hats into the ring.

With Draymond Green missing so much time, he’s no longer in the conversation. And since he was commonly viewed as the favorite, someone else will end up taking home the award.

Miami Heat fans are arguing for Bam Adebayo, Utah Jazz fans are arguing for Rudy Gobert, and Boston Celtics fans are arguing for a couple of different players on their roster.

At the end of the day, this race, along with the race for the MVP award, will end up being extremely close down the stretch. Let’s take a look at the updated NBA DPOY Ladder.

NBA DPOY Ladder Week 21: Honorable mentions

Herbert Jones: Although the New Orleans Pelicans dropped off a bit over the past week, Jones’ defense has not. The rookie is still picking up the best player on opposing teams and leading the Pelicans on the defensive side of the floor. (Rank last week: HM)

Giannis Antetokounmpo: It seems like a crime to not have Antetokounmpo in the top five, but despite the recent success of the Milwaukee Bucks, it’s been mostly on the offensive end. He’s still very much in the race for DPOY, though. (Rank last week: 5)

Jaren Jackson Jr.: Just like Antetokounmpo, Jackson Jr. will be in this race for the entire season. Him falling out of the top five is simply a result of other players picking things up a bit. (Rank last week: 4)

Josh Green: Realistically speaking, Green isn’t going to be anywhere in the DPOY conversation. However, the Dallas Mavericks have been playing great on the defensive end, and his play has stood out amongst the bunch. He deserves some credit. (Rank last week: N/R)

Evan Mobley: With Jarrett Allen sidelined, Mobley is going to be forced to take on a much larger role on both ends of the floor. Without his fellow twin tower, Mobley’s been riding solo and holding it down in the paint. (Rank last week: HM)