Last updated: 7th April 2023
Current favourites:
Jaren Jackson Jr. @ 1.62
Brook Lopez @ 2.38
Bam Adebayo @ 41.00
Evan Mobley @ 61.00
Giannis Antetokounmpo @ 61.00
Anthony Davis @ 76.00
Jarrett Allen @ 276.00
Nic Claxton @ 276.00
Joel Embiid @ 276.00
Here are the favourites to take the coveted Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award for the ’22/’23 NBA season. Now the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.
At The Jump Hub, we have assessed their chances as we see them and will update this article regularly to see if we were right...
Check out PlayUp for the latest live odds.
Odds are subject to change.
*See foot of article for key to terms used
General update - 7th Apr 2023
So, as the regular season winds up, how are the two front-runners in the race for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award looking? Well, they’re both still rock solid. Both men seem to be pushing hard all the way to the line and it makes for an intriguing contest. If we have to choose between them (and we do) then we’re sticking with Lopez. The guy has started all of the 78 games he’s played this season and has been an absolute bastion of consistency and reliability. But, Jackson Jr. has been the more effective over their last few games for sure. In April so far, he has put up:
88 points, 24 rebounds, and 6 assists
Throw in an impressive 4 blocks in his last game against and it makes for some pretty impressive reading.
Lopez, on the other hand, has provided:
67 points, 13 rebounds (0 in one game), and 2 assists (also 0 in one game)
Does that mean he stops being the favourite in terms of his betting odds? No, but it is the kind of thing that the people voting for the winners might notice when they are torn between one or two players. We’re still backing Brook Lopez but fair play to Jaren Jackson Jr. for going hard right until the end.
Lopez vs Jackson Jr. April 7th
| Stat | Lopez | Jackson Jr. |
|---|---|---|
| Games (G) | 78 | 62 |
| Games started (GS) | 78 | 62 |
| Minutes (M) | 30.4 | 28.4 |
| Points (PTS) | 15.9 | 18.3 |
| Field goal % (FG%) | 53.1 | 50.2 |
| 3-point % (3P%) | 37.4 | 34.4 |
| Free throw % (FT%) | 78.4 | 78.5 |
| Defensive rebounds (DRB) | 4.7 | 5.1 |
| Total rebounds (TRB) | 6.7 | 6.8 |
| Assists (AST) | 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Blocks (BLK) | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Steals (STL) | 0.5 | 1.0 |
| Player fouls (PF) | 2.6 | 3.6 |
| Turnovers (TOV) | 1.4 | 1.7 |
General update - 28th Mar 2023
The running effectively comes down to 6, or 4 if we're being honest. In fact, the betting markets can't see much beyond Brook Lopez or Jaren Jackson Jr. if we want to be even more analytical.
Lopez is an absolute machine when it comes to blocking and is 2nd only to...you guessed it, Jackson Jr. The pair get an extraordinary number of blocks each per game and that is probably what is driving them to be the runaway favourites to be the NBA Defensive Player of the Year this season. If we look at their other stats then it is less obvious as to why. They both perform reasonably well across the board. Let's take a look at their stats for the season side-by-side:
Lopez vs Jackson Jr. 2023
| Stat | Lopez | Jackson Jr. |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes (M) | 30.4 | 28.2 |
| Points (PTS) | 15.5 | 18.0 |
| Field goal % (FG%) | 52.1 | 50.1 |
| 3-point % (3P%) | 37.5 | 33.5 |
| Free throw % (FT%) | 77.6 | 78.1 |
| Defensive rebounds (DRB) | 4.7 | 5.0 |
| Total rebounds (TRB) | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| Assists (AST) | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Blocks (BLK) | 2.5 | 2.1 |
| Steals (STL) | 0.5 | 0.9 |
| Player fouls (PF) | 2.6 | 3.5 |
| Turnovers (TOV) | 1.4 | 1.6 |
It's pretty close right? Who would you choose?
General update - 13th Mar 2023
Ok, so now that we're down to just 9 players in the running, we can take a look at our record in this article. We haven't embarrassed ourselves quite as staggeringly as in some of the others but have still managed to miss:
Anthony Davis
@ 15.00 - @ 21.00 - @ 19.00 - @ 29.00 - @ 20.00 - @ 26.00 - @ 19.00 - @ 71.00
@ 401.00 - @ 36.00
A staggering change in Davis' betting odds from almost being written off to being 5th-favourite in 2 weeks...
Jarrett Allen
@ 26.00 - @ 31.00 - @ 26.00 - @ 31.00 - @ 21.00 - @ 34.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 31.00
@ 21.00 - @ 26.00 - @ 56.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 46.00 - @ 81.00
Apologies to those guys for underestimating them.
General update - 28th Feb 2023
Brook Lopez is the only player really hanging on to Jaren Jackson Jr at this point. He drops slightly to @ 4.00 while JJJ remains the out and out favourite @ 1.53
O.G.Anunoby seems to have burned brightly and gone out just as fast. His NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting odds have gone from @ 136.00 pre-season, downa as low as @ 7.00 around Christmas time, and now up @ 151.00
General update - 10th Feb 2023
The list of favourites to take the award for NBA Defensive Player of the Year remains largely stable at the moment. Jaren Jackson Jr. is still the red-hot favourite @ 1.44
Giannis Antetokounmpo rebounds a little from the slide in betting odds he had been experiencing @ 23.00
General update - 1st Feb 2023
Wow, we leave this article alone for a week and it's all totally different!
Nic Claxton rockets into 2nd place @ 4.33
Giannis Antetokounmpo plummets to @ 31.00
General update - 4th Jan 2023
Jaren Jackson Jr. takes top spot in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting odds away from Brook Lopez. He jumps from @ 3.10 to @ 2.38.
Lopez drops from @ 2.70 to @ 3.75
General update - 2nd Jan 2023
BREAKING NEWS: Antetokounmpo has left knee issues. His movement is limited due to left knee soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will take on the Wizards on Sunday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ended the year with an almost unbelievable couple of games. Full details below, but some stats in brief: Total for 2 games - 88 points, 44 rebounds, 13 assists. Bizarrely, his DPOY betting odds still haven't moved from @ 11.00
Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets pushed down his NBA DPOY betting odds from @ 401.00 to @ 81.00 in 2 weeks. Apart from 2 freakish games at the end December when he totalleld 20 rebounds and 16 assists, it is not abundantly clear why. But the Nets are on an 11-game winning streak and the Australian is surely playing his part in that.
General update - 26th Dec 2022
Jaren Jackson Jr has a wow of a game against the Phoenix Suns to improve his NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting odds a touch @ 3.60
Brook Lopez went 10-16 (62.5%) in his field goals. His betting odds remain steady @ 2.50
General update - 19th Dec 2022
Antetokounmpo missed the last game with knee soreness and looks set to miss at least one more. His DPOY betting odds drop to @ 11.00
Jaren Jackson Jr. rockets into 2nd place on the list of favourites @ 3.75
News of an unfortunate injury to Anthony Davis sees his DPOY betting odds drop from @ 19.00 - @ 71.00
O.G. Anunoby is reportedly out with an injured hip
Jaren Jackson Jr. feels there should be another name in the race for DPOY...
General update - 14th Dec 2022
The Defensive Player of the Year will now receive the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy
Brook Lopez remains the bookmakers' favourite @ 2.10 and is still the NBA blocks leader
Hip problems will keep O.G. Anunoby off the court until late December
General update - 7th Dec 2022
Brook Lopez consolidates his position as favourite @ 2.00. He is the current NBA block (BLK) leader
O.G. Anunoby continues to move up the list @ 7.00. He is the current NBA steal (STL) leader
Giannis Antetokounmpo drops one position and is also @ 7.00. He is the current NBA turnover (TOV) leader
General update - 2nd Dec 2022
O.G. Anunoby leaps into 3rd place @ 9.50
General update - 27th Nov 2022
Evan Mobley jumps to 3rd favourite
Embiid remains out with a left foot sprain. Now at 4 consecutive games missed.
General update - 24th Nov 2022
Brook Lopez comes out of nowhere to become the bookmakers' 2nd favourite @ 5.00
Antetokounmpo continues to score and rebound heavily.
Adebayo doubtful for the next game (knee)
Embiid out for the 76ers with a left foot sprain
General update - 16th Nov 2022
Williams' DPOY betting odds drop even further
Antetokounmpo leapfrogs Gobert to become the bookmakers' favourite
Adabayo is holding firm with no movement @ 9.00
Evan Mobley's DPOY award betting odds shortening consistently. Now @ 8.00
Joel Embiid has the opposite problem. Now sitting @ 31.00
General update - 2nd Nov 2022
Howdy folks, just popping back to update the progress we've seen from the DPOY contenders so far. Check out the individual player analyses below for more details:
In a nutshell:
Gobert is ripping up trees right across the court.
Antetokounmpo has leapfrogged Williams and Adebayo to be the 2nd-placed favourite
Adebayo is scoring well but letting himself down on the defensive end.
Williams III looks set to be out for the first half of the 2022/'23 season after knee surgery
The Jump Hub tip: (19th Dec '22)
Giannis Antetokounmpo @ 11.00
Best value odds bet:
Bam Adebayo @ 18.00
Brook Lopez @ 2.38
Milwaukee Bucks
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 231.00 — @ 19.00 — @ 5.00 — @ 2.30 — @ 3.30 — @ 2.70
Pre-season — 25th Oct — 2nd Nov — 24th Nov — 30th Nov — 2nd Dec
@ 2.00 — @ 2.10 — @ 2.50 — @ 2.70 — @ 3.75 — @ 5.50 — @ 7.50
7th Dec1 — 4th Dec — 19th Dec — 2nd Jan — 4th Jan — 12th Jan — 20th Jan
@ 10.00 — @ 15.00 — @ 6.00 — @ 4.00 — @ 1.73 — @ 1.57
1st Feb — 10th Feb — 21st Feb — 28th Feb — 13th Mar — 28th Mar
@ 2.38
7th Apr
Born: April 1st 1988 - North Hollywood, California
Measurements: 7’0” (2.13m), 282lb (127kg)
College: Stanford
NBA Draft: 10th pick, 2008
NBA debut: October 29th, 2008
Position: Centre
Teams: New Jersey Nets, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 13 \ PTS: 12.4 \ FG%: 46.6 \ 3P%: 35.8 \ FT%: 87.0 \ TRB: 4.1 \ AST: 0.5 \ STL: 0.6 \ BLK: 1.2 \ TOV: 0.9 \ PF: 2.6
Update: 12th Jan 2023
Brook Lopez has dropped to 2nd favourite in the race to be crowned NBA Defensive Player of the Year for 2022/'23. This has a lot to do with a sensational start to 2023 by his closest rival, Jaren Jackson Jr. As we have mentioned before in this article, Lopez has been hanging onto the top spot by the skin of his teeth and we sensed it would not be long until someone caught and overtook him. His stats remain solid but he will need more than solidity if he is to regain his place atop this list and go on and win it.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 39 \ PTS: 14.5 \ FG%: 50.5 \ 3P%: 38.1 \ FT%: 78.8 \ TRB: 6.5 \ AST: 1.2 \ STL: 0.5 \ BLK: 2.6 \ TOV: 1.4 \ PF: 2.4
Again, those are not awful numbers by any means. But they have declined ever-so-slightly of late and they were never sensational, trophy-winning ones to begin with in our minds.
Brook started 2023 like a man possessed and took 41 rebounds across his first 3 games of the year. But that dropped to a total of 11 rebounds across his next 2 games. And therein lies the key to being named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Consistency.
Update: 26th Dec 2022
The Bucks are only allowing 91.8 points allowed per 100 plays, in no small part due to Lopez.
He anchors the middle of the court and allows Antetokounmpo to roam freely.
He still leads the NBA in blocks per game with 2.9. But that doesn't tell the whole picture. The fact is that Lopez contests more 2-point shots than anyone else with 16.1
To give an indication of what a colossal gulf that is, his nearest competitor in this stat is Ivica Zubac with 10.3. That difference is the same as the one between Zubac and the 50th-placed player Scottie Barnes.
The scoring issue we mentioned in our last update was blown away by 23 points in 30 minutes against Brooklyn, with a conversion rate of 62.5%
Update: 14th Dec 2022
Scoring has become somewhat of an issue for Lopez in recent games. His per-game average for December is down to 11.0 from over 15.0 in October and November.
His rebounds are up a touch but we still feel that he is lacking the killer element that will take him all the way tothe newly named Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 25 \ PTS: 14.6 \ FG%: 48.2 \ 3P%: 40.3 \ FT%: 84.6 \ TRB: 5.9 \ AST: 1.1 \ STL: 0.5 \ BLK: 2.9 \ TOV: 1.2 \ PF: 2.2
Maintaining his 2.9 blocks per game keeps Brook Lopez at the top of the whole NBA in that category.
Update: 28th Nov 2022
An absolutely remarkable jump to the top of the list from Brook Lopez. Just look at that odds progression. From @ 231.00 pre-season to @ 2.30 at the time of writing.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 19 \ PTS: 15.8 \ FG%: 51.1 \ 3P%: 41.1 \ FT%: 77.8 \ TRB: 5.8 \ AST: 1.1 \ STL: 0.7 \ BLK: 2.9 \ TOV: 1.3 \ PF: 2.1
Is he improving? Certainly
Is he performing better than the 2nd favourite Giannis Antetokounmpo? Not even close...
We are often totally baffled by bookmakers and how they set their odds. That's probably why we're not millionaires. But this one is particularly perplexing.
There is simply no way that Lopez is having the best defensive season of any player on this list. Yet here he sits. Atop the list of favourites to take the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
He is the NBA's current block leader. Beating Antetokounmpo there 2.9 to 1.0
But overall Giannis is clearly superior. In fact, we'd venture to say that Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert and Bam Adebayo have been better. There is such a long way to go that it is perhaps a touch redundant to read so much into these fluctuations.
But we love it...
Original text
Lopez played only 13 games in the 2021/'22 season due to having surgery on a back injury. It's hard to judge his stats on so few games but he has already surpassed that number this season. And things are looking pretty good. Decent rebounds and an outstanding 2.8 blocks per game. Making him block leader for the whole NBA right now.
Does that account for his meteoric rise in Defensive player of the Year betting odds? Maybe. But there are other forces at play for sure. Lopez has catapulted from relative obscurity to being 2nd favourite to take the award this season.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 16 \ PTS: 16.2 \ FG%: 49.7 \ 3P%: 39.0 \ FT%: 81.3 \ TRB: 5.9 \ AST: 1.1 \ STL: 0.7 \ BLK: 2.8 \ TOV: 1.4 \ PF: 2.4
Jaren Jackson Jr. @ 1.62
Memphis Grizzlies
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 26.00 — @ 31.00 — @ 15.00 — @ 19.00 — @ 21.00 — @ 3.75
Pre-season — 25th Oct — 2nd Nov — 24th Nov — 2nd Dec — 17th Dec
@ 3.60 — @ 3.10 — @ 2.38 — @ 1.80 — @ 1.57 — @ 1.44
26th Dec — 2nd Jan — 4th Jan — 12th Jan — 20th Jan/ 1st Feb — 10th Feb
@ 1.53 — @ 2.25 — @ 2.40 — @ 1.62
21st/28th Feb — 13th Mar — 28th Mar — 7th Apr
Born: September 15th 1999 - Plainfield, New Jersey
Measurements: 6’11” (2.11m), 242lb (109kg)
College: Michigan State
NBA Draft: 4th pick, 2018
NBA debut: October 17th, 2018
Position: Centre, power forward
Teams: Memphis Grizzlies
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 78 \ PTS: 16.3 \ FG%: 41.5 \ 3P%: 31.9 \ FT%: 82.3 \ TRB: 5.8 \ AST: 1.1 \ STL: 0.9 \ BLK: 2.3 \ TOV: 1.7 \ PF: 3.5
Update: 12th Jan 2023
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 24 \ PTS: 16.7 \ FG%: 51.3 \ 3P%: 36.6 \ FT%: 75.5 \ TRB: 6.4 \ AST: 0.9 \ STL: 1.0 \ BLK: 3.3 \ TOV: 1.6 \ PF: 3.0
Right now for January, Jaren Jackson Jr is averaging:
19.4 points
3.8 blocks
7.8 rebounds
it's not hard to see why the betting markets have shortened his NBA DPOY betting odds to @ 1.80, making him the new favourite to take the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy this season.
Update: 26th Dec 2022
In 28 minutes on the court against Phoenix Suns on Christmas Eve, Jackson Jr nailed:
24 points and 10 rebounds
52.9% field goal conversion rate
2 blocks and 1 assist
His Defensive Player of the Year betting odds reacted accordingly and he consolidated his position as 2nd favourite @ 3.60
It was also a return to winning form for the Grizzles who saw their 6-game winning streak broken by Oklahoma Thunder and then Denver Nuggets
Original text:
Jaren Jackson Jr. has never been far away from the top favourites right from the start of the season. He has gone under the radar and worked hard. He maintained his position in the 'Rest of the field' until just recently when his NBA Defensive Player of the Year plummeted to @ 3.75 and rocketed him into 2nd position.
Jaren was the NBA blocks (BLK) leader for the 2021/'22 season with 2.3 per game.
He currently has 3.1 but having only appeared in 13 of the Grizzlies' 29 games, he is not eligible to top the list this season. The leader is currently the favourite, Brook Lopez with 2.8
The rest of his numbers this season look like this:
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 13 \ PTS: 17.1 \ FG%: 50.3 \ 3P%: 37.1 \ FT%: 76.1 \ TRB: 6.3 \ AST: 0.5 \ STL: 0.8 \ BLK: 3.1 \ TOV: 1.5 \ PF: 2.8
An impressive set of stats in a few ways. Those blocks, of course. But also decent points (in just 25.5 minutes per game) and solid rebounds. He does not give the ball away often but does have to watch those fouls. Overall, we're impressed with JJJ's efforts and hope to see him play a lot more minutes moving forwards and put those foot issues behind him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (1 x DPOY): @ 61.00
Milwaukee Bucks
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 9.50 — @ 6.50 — @ 3.95 — @ 4.00 — @ 4.50 — @ 5.00 — @ 7.00
Pre-season — 25th Oct — 2nd Nov — 24th Nov — 30th Nov — 2nd Dec — 7th Dec
@ 8.00 — @ 11.00 — @ 15.00 — @ 18.00 — @ 31.00 — @ 23.00
14th Dec — 19th/26th Dec/2nd Jan — 12th Jan — 20th Jan — 1st Feb — 10th Feb
@ 26.00 — @ 31.00 — @ 26.00 — @ 36.00 — @ 61.00
21st Feb — 28th Feb — 13th Mar — 28th Mar — 7th Apr
Born: December 6th 1994 - Athens, Greece
Measurements: 7’0” (2.13m), 242lb (109kg)
NBA Draft: 15th pick, 2013
NBA debut: October 30th, 2013
Position: Power Forward, small forward, point guard, and shooting guard
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 67 \ PTS: 29.9 \ FG%: 55.3 \ 3P%: 29.3 \ FT%: 72.2 \ TRB: 11.6 \ AST: 5.8 \ STL: 1.1 \ BLK: 1.4 \ TOV: 3.3 \ PF: 3.2
Update: 12th Jan 2023
Normally, we wouldn't post a player's stats again so close to the last ones but, when it comes to Giannis Antetokounmpo we just feel we have to add them yet again.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 34 \ PTS: 31.7* \ FG%: 52.7 \ 3P%: 24.5 \ FT%: 65.7 \ TRB: 11.8 \ AST: 5.2 \ STL: 0.8 \ BLK: 0.9 \ TOV: 4.1* \ PF: 3.5*
*Career highs
I mean, just look at those numbers. Are they quite as good as the last ones? No. Are they still bordering on unbelievable? You betcha.
Giannis scored 85 points across the first 2 games of 2023. He also managed to snatch 31 rebounds and give 17 assists in those same games. Just go and compare those numbers with the players above him on the list of favourites to win this trophy and then come back.
We'll wait...
Madness isn't it? He takes more rebounds than the other 2 put together and annihilates them for points scored.
The wheels came off a little bit for a surprise defeat to the Charlotte Hornets and he grabbed just 9 points, 4 rebounds and 0 assists. He came back reasonably strong against the Knickerbockers and we wait with bated breath to see what happens next. This is one player who deserves our fullest attention.
Update: 2nd Jan 2023
The Milwaukee Bucks are not exactly in trouble just yet. Sitting 23-12 and 3rd in the NBA Eastern Conference, with one of the greatest players the game has ever seen performing as a man possessed.
Just when you think you've seen everything Giannis Antetokounmpo has to offer on a basketball court, he steps up another level again.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 30 \ PTS: 32.1* \ FG%: 53.3 \ 3P%: 25.3 \ FT%: 64.5 \ TRB: 11.8 \ AST: 5.2 \ STL: 0.9 \ BLK: 0.9 \ TOV: 3.8* \ PF: 3.6*
*Career highs
Improvements or consistency across the board. Giannis is unerringly reliable and has turned up the heat even further in his last couple of games. Totalling:
88 points, 44 rebounds, 13 assists
But, even when he produces more than 40 points per game, which he did 5 times in December alone, it has not been enough to secure the wins. In fact, the Bucks have lost 3 of those 5.
The latest news is that Antetokounmpo has some left knee soreness and is unlikely to play a part against the Washington Wizards Sunday night (1st Jan)
Update: 14th Dec 2022
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
Antetokounmpo remains on course to have another remarkable season in the NBA. His points and rebounds are nothing short of remarkable. All the players here have decent stats but none like this. He is consistently decent and frequently exceptional.
G: 22 \ PTS: 31.1 \ FG%: 54.1 \ 3P%: 26.5 \ FT%: 62.7 \ TRB: 11.3 \ AST: 5.4 \ STL: 0.9 \ BLK: 1.1 \ TOV: 3.8 \ PF: 3.6
Giannis has added yet another point to his per-game average since our last update.
Worryingly, those negative stats have climbed once again. Almost 4 turnovers per game and the same number of fouls is hard to take but they come with the territory. They may account for the slight lengthening in his NBA DPOY betting odds @ 8.00
His points dropped to a lowly 16 in Monday's loss against Houston, but his rebounds reached 18. Astonishing
Update: 28th Nov 2022
In the 3 games since our last update, Antetokounmpo has amassed:
104 points
31 rebounds
17 assists
It is truly the kind of form that puts him in a category all of his own. Sadly, so is the negative side of his stat sheet. During the same period, he gave away:
14 turnovers
13 fouls
Are the negatives enough to outweigh such astonishing positives? You be the judge.
Right now, the online sports betting markets seem to think so. Giannis drops to 2nd favourite to take the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award @ 4.50
Update: 24th Nov 2022
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 13 \ PTS: 30.1 \ FG%: 52.0 \ 3P%: 22.0 \ FT%: 57.5 \ TRB: 11.6 \ AST: 5.4 \ STL: 1.1 \ BLK: 1.1 \ TOV: 3.5 \ PF: 3.1
So, how are things going with Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Rather well actually.
A career high so far this season in points per game
...although
A career low in free throw accuracy.
Sure, he gives the ball away a lot. He always has it, that's why.
He's still snaffling a huge number of rebounds and giving decent assists. Let's be honest, shall we? The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award is Antetokounmpo's for the taking. If he keeps even some of this type of consistency going then nobody on this list will catch him.
It's as simple as that...
Update: 16th Nov 2022
The man-machine further cements his place as the bookmakers' favourite to be named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year once again. He's currently averaging an, almost unbelievable set of numbers:
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 10 \ PTS: 31.3 \ FG%: 52.6 \ 3P%: 24.2 \ FT%: 64.3 \ TRB: 11.8 \ AST: 5.2 \ STL: 1.1 \ BLK: 1.3 \ TOV: 3.8 \ PF: 3.0
He has a game-high of 44 points against the Milwaukee Bucks and 17 rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks (Go Hawks!).
There is no reason to think that Giannis won't continue to put out performances like this. If he does, they might as well give him the award now.
Update: 2nd Nov 2022
To say that Antetokounmpo has started the 2022/'23 season on fire would be an understatement. He is like a man possessed.
In his last 5 games, he has scored a staggering 182 points.
Averaging 33.8 per game this season. Wow
Add to that a cheeky 12.8 total rebounds (TRB) per game. Only Gobert betters that on this list.
His turnovers (TOV) and fouls (PF) are letting him down a little as things stand. But it's only natural that a player who is having such a profound impact on games has higher stats in those areas.
It is little wonder that Giannis has passed Williams III and Adebayo to be the second favourite to take Defensive Player of the Year. He is going to be very hard to stop.
Original text:
Arguably the best player in the league, it is hard to rule the giant Antetokounmpo out of any competition. He excels right across the board. Averaging 11.6 rebounds per game last season, if he keeps his form and fitness, he will certainly be right in the running for his second DPOY award.
Nic Claxton: @ 276.00
Brooklyn Nets
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 31.00 — @ 8.50 — @ 10.00 — @ 4.33 — @ 7.00 — @ 9.50
Pre-season/19th Dec — 12th Jan — 20th Jan — 1st Feb — 10th Feb — 21st Feb
@ 26.00 — @ 126.00 — @ 276.00 —
28th Feb — 13th Mar — 28th Mar —
Born: April 17th 1999 - Greenville, South Carolina
Measurements: 6’11” (2.11m), 215lb (97kg)
NBA Draft: 31st pick, 2019
NBA debut: November 8th, 2019
Position: Centre
Teams: Brooklyn Nets
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 47 \ PTS: 8.7 \ FG%: 67.4 \ 3P%: 0.0 \ FT%: 58.1 \ TRB: 5.6 \ AST: 0.9 \ STL: 0.5 \ BLK: 1.1 \ TOV: 0.8 \ PF: 2.3
Update: 12th Jan 2023
So it seems that Nic Claxton went totally under the radar for the first 30-odd games of this season. His NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting odds didn't alter at all and we barely noticed him. Meanwhile, he was steadily racking up some impressive statistics:
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 37 \ PTS: 11.9 \ FG%: 73.8 \ 3P%: 0.0 \ FT%: 46.9 \ TRB: 8.3 \ AST: 1.5 \ STL: 0.8 \ BLK: 2.8 \ TOV: 1.2 \ PF: 2.8
Yes, you read that right:
73.8% success in terms of field goals.
He takes zero shots from distance, so those are all 2-pointers. Who else gets over 70% of them? That is a very short list.
In fact, it's a list of 1 and Claxton's is the only name on it...
Rudy Gobert comes closest with 67.5%
But converted field goal attempts do not win you the title of Defensive Player of the Year. So it's a good job he is also the joint blocks leader with 2.6 per game. Those rebounds are creeping up too. 20 across his last 2 games. All in all, Nic Claxton is beginning to look like the real deal and one that we totally did not see coming.
We watch with great interest what happens next...
O.G. Anunoby: @ 151.00 \\
Toronto Raptors
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 136.00 — @ 14.00 — @ 9.50 — @ 7.00 — @ 8.00 — @ 11.00
Pre-season/25th Oct — 2nd Nov — 2nd Dec — 7th Dec — 14th Dec — 19th Dec
@ 14.00 — @ 17.00 — @ 22.00 — @ 41.00 — @ 46.00 — @ 76.00
26th Dec — 12th Jan — 20th Jan — 1st Feb — 10th Feb — 21st Feb
@ 151.00 \\
28th Feb
\\ Betting odds no longer available for this player
Born: July 17th 1997 - London, U.K.
Measurements: 6’7” (2.01m), 232lb (105kg)
College: Indiana
NBA Draft: 23rd pick, 2017
NBA debut: October 19th, 2017
Position: Small forward
Teams: Toronto Raptors
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 48 \ PTS: 17.1 \ FG%: 44.3 \ 3P%: 36.3 \ FT%: 75.4 \ TRB: 5.5 \ AST: 2.6 \ STL: 1.5 \ BLK: 0.5 \ TOV: 1.7 \ PF: 2.7
Update: 12th Jan 2023
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 21 \ PTS: 18.7 \ FG%: 47.1 \ 3P%: 35.0 \ FT%: 84.7 \ TRB: 6.0 \ AST: 2.2 \ STL: 2.3 \ BLK: 1.0 \ TOV: 3.8 \ PF: 3.1
Update: 14th Dec 2022
Anunoby remains the bookmakers' 2nd favourite to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year this season @ 8.00
Level with the colossus that is Antetokounmpo.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 26 \ PTS: 19.0 \ FG%: 47.5 \ 3P%: 33.1 \ FT%: 83.3 \ TRB: 5.8 \ AST: 2.1 \ STL: 2.4 \ BLK: 0.8 \ TOV: 2.5 \ PF: 3.0
O.G. has kept pushing in recent games. His points are up a touch, as are his field goal conversion rate and free throws.
He continues to steal the ball from his opponents more than anyone else in the whole NBA
Sadly for the young number 3, hip problems look set to keep him off the court until late December. If he recovers quickly then this may not affect his chances here too adversely. Time will tell...
Original text
Sneaking in totally under the radar, we have O.G. Anunoby.
He was expected to rip it up last season but has obviously been biding his time. Hitting the favourites like a bolt out of the blue. Rest of the field fodder all the way as far as we were concerned. We were, therefore, as surprised as anybody to find the Brit occupying the 3rd favourite spot.
His NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting odds have plummeted from @ 126.00 to @ 9.50 and even lower on some online betting sites.
Let's look at his latest stats.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 21 \ PTS: 18.7 \ FG%: 47.1 \ 3P%: 35.0 \ FT%: 84.7 \ TRB: 6.0 \ AST: 2.2 \ STL: 2.3 \ BLK: 1.0 \ TOV: 3.8 \ PF: 3.1
Those steals are indeed impressive. Would we like to see more of them converted into assist or scoring opportunities? Certainly. Especially when you look at the competition he faces on this particular list.
Are 2.2 assists and 6 rebounds going to drive O.G. past Giannis? It seems unlikely somehow. But the season is long and he has plenty of time to keep pushing.
We can say for certain that he is developing into a defender that few opponents will relish facing too often. Watch this space...
Evan Mobley @ 61.00
Cleveland Cavaliers
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 18.00 — @ 13.00 — @ 8.00 — @ 10.00 — @ 12.00 — @ 13.00
Pre-season — 25th Oct — 2nd Nov — 24th Nov/2nd Dec — 7th Dec — 19th Dec
@ 23.00 — @ 31.00 — @ 46.00 — @ 36.00 — @ 46.00 — @ 76.00
12th Jan — 20th Jan — 1st/10th Feb — 21st/28th Feb — 13th Mar — 28th Mar
@ 61.00
7th Apr
Born: June 18th 2001 - San Diego, California
Measurements: 6’3” (1.90m), 215lb (97kg)
College: USC
NBA Draft: 3rd pick, 2021
NBA debut: October 20th, 2021
Position: Power forward
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 69 \ PTS: 15.0 \ FG%: 50.8 \ 3P%: 25.0 \ FT%: 66.3 \ TRB: 8.3 \ AST: 2.5 \ STL: 0.8 \ BLK: 1.7 \ TOV: 1.9 \ PF: 2.1
Update 28th Nov
Evan Mobley was never far from the eyes of the bookmakers when it came to the Defensive Player of the Year award. Just outside the main favourites pre-season. He is very much up among them now. 3rd favourite in fact.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 19 \ PTS: 14.5 \ FG%: 54.1 \ 3P%: 15.4 \ FT%: 70.6 \ TRB: 8.5 \ AST: 2.4 \ STL: 1.0 \ BLK: 1.4 \ TOV: 2.3 \ PF: 2.8
Mobley does not set the league alight in any one category. He just performs solidly across a number of them. Decent points. Robust rebounds and a few assists thrown in for good measure. Alone, none of them would make him a very great threat. Together, they start to build into a very dependable and secure foundation.
Will they be enough to propel him all the way to win the award?
Probably not
But he is doing himself no harm whatsoever in performing so consistently and the Cleveland Cavaliers must be rather pleased too.
Update: 24th Nov '22
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 17 \ PTS: 15.2 \ FG%: 57.2 \ 3P%: 16.7 \ FT%: 70.0 \ TRB: 8.4 \ AST: 2.5 \ STL: 0.9 \ BLK: 1.4 \ TOV: 2.3 \ PF: 3.0
Evan Mobley is nothing if not consistent:
Decent scoring with a good conversion rate for field goals? Check
Abysmal 3-point success rate? Check
Sub-par free throw percentage? Check
Solid rebounds? Check
Are these the stats of the next Defensive Player of the Year? Probably not. But Mobley is hanging in there for now @ 10.00. If he can up those assists and start taking the ball back more often then he is still in with a shout.
It is a distant one performed by a small mouse, but a shout nonetheless...
Update: 16th Nov '22
Evan Mobley's DPOY betting odds have dropped yet again. He has put in some stellar performances of late. Like it or not, rebounds and blocks seem to count very heavily in the minds of those 124 illustrious sports broadcasters and analysts. With highs of 13 rebounds and an excellent 8 blocks in a single game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 4th Nov '22, Mobley is currently ticking all the right boxes.
Original text:
Evan Mobley has been attracting attention. Although his defensive work remains below par, he has been scoring heavily of late. 56 points in his last 3 games alone. While that won't win him the Defensive Player of the Year award, it might account for his odds shortening by 5-points
Rudy Gobert: (3 x DPOY) @ 401.00 \\
Minnesota Timberwolves
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 4.50 — @ 4.25 — @ 6.25 — @ 9.00 — @ 12.00 — @ 18.00
Pre-season — 25th Oct — 2nd Nov — 24th Nov — 30th Nov — 2nd Dec
@ 23.00 — @ 31.00 — @ 46.00 — @ 56.00 — @ 101.00
7th Dec — 19th Dec — 26th Dec/2nd Jan — 12th Jan — 20th Jan
@ 201.00 — @ 226.00 — @ 276.00 — @ 401.00 —
1st Feb — 10th Feb — 21st Feb — 28th Feb
\\ Betting odds no longer available for this player
Born: June 26th 1992 - Saint Quentin, France
Measurements: 7’1” (2.16m), 258lb (117kg)
NBA Draft: 27th pick, 2013
NBA debut: October 30th, 2013
Position: Centre
Teams: Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 66 \ PTS: 15.6 \ FG%: 71.3 \ 3P%: - \ FT%: 69 \ TRB: 14.7 \ AST: 1.1 \ STL: 0.7 \ BLK: 2.1 \ TOV: 1.8 \ PF: 2.7
Update: 28th Nov '22
Rudy Gobert is 2nd only to Anthony Davis so far this season in taking rebounds. He has an outstanding 12.7 per game at the time of writing. 43 in his last 3 games alone.
When Gobert shoots from the field, he does so very effectively. So far, 66.9% of his 2-point efforts are successful. That puts him 7th in the whole NBA. For a player that is competing to be the defensive player of the year, that's rather impressive. Compare it with the current favourite Lopez, who has a 50.5% conversion rate. Or Antetokounmpo with 53.1%.
Those are actually pretty decent percentages in themselves but Gobert is streets ahead.
Competent blocking helps his cause in this competition. But he surely loses out when it comes to assists.
Update: 24th Nov '22
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
Gobert continues to perform at a very high level. An excellent conversion rate for his 13.1 points per game.
Tremendous rebound-taking. Level-top in the whole NBA with Anthony Davis, in fact.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 15 \ PTS: 13.1 \ FG%: 61.9 \ 3P%: 35.8 \ FT%: 70.9 \ TRB: 12.3 \ AST: 0.9 \ STL: 0.7 \ BLK: 1.5 \ TOV: 1.4 \ PF: 3.1
So why is Rudy Gobert not more highly favoured?
It might come down to the total absence of playmaking. He creates almost no chances for his teammates and that surely hurts his overall appeal. Still, defensively he is a rock.
Update: 16th Nov 2022
Gobert has game-highs of 23 rebounds and 3 blocks this season. He's not big on steals but does score decent points. He is currently averaging 14.0 per game this season.
Although the award is for the defensive player of the year, those judges can't fail to be impressed when players score well.
Update: 2nd Nov 2022
Rudy Gobert had 21 points and 20 rebounds in a single game against the Lakers on 28th Oct '22.
He is, so far, matching his 2021/'22 season NBA-leading average of 14.7 total rebounds (TRB) per game. After 7 games played.
If we are to be incredibly detail-oriented, a much higher percentage of his rebounds than normal have been offensive ones (ORB).
4.9 compared to his previous highest of 3.9 in 2016/'17.
How will that affect his standings for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY)? Time will tell.
So far, the market predictions (and our pick) are looking to be on the money. Early days yet...
Original text:
Minnesota Timberwolves' new center Rudy Gobert can always be relied upon as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Even after the disruption of leaving Utah Jazz after 9 seasons with them.
The three-time winner is one of the best rim protectors and shot-blockers in the game.
The fact that he has averaged above two blocks per game for the last eight seasons is a testament to that.
Even with an astonishing 14.7 rebounds per game, his ’21/’22 season performances drew criticism from some. He surely has a point to prove.
Watch this space
Bam Adebayo: @ 41.00
Miami Heat
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 7.00 — @ 9.00 — @ 13.00 — @ 17.00 — @ 20.00 — @ 13.00
Pre-season — 25th Oct — 2nd Nov — 30th Nov — 2nd Dec — 7th Dec
@ 18.00 — @ 12.00 — @ 15.00 — @ 20.00 — @ 7.00 — @ 8.50
19th Dec — 26th Dec/2nd Jan — 12th Jan — 20th Jan — 1st/10th Feb — 21st Feb
@ 12.00 — @ 23.00 — @ 36.00 — @ 41.00
28th Feb — 13th Mar — 28th Mar —7th Apr
Born: July 18th 1997 - Newark, New Jersey
Measurements: 6’9” (2.06m), 255lb (115kg)
College: Kentucky
NBA Draft: 14th pick, 2017
NBA debut: October 18th, 2017
Position: Centre, power forward
Teams: Miami Heat
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 56 \ PTS: 19.1 \ FG%: 55.7 \ 3P%: - \ FT%: 75.3 \ TRB: 10.1 \ AST: 3.4 \ STL: 1.4 \ BLK: 0.8 \ TOV: 2.6 \ PF: 3.1
Update: 24th Nov '22
Bam Adebayo is looking strong this season. Scoring well and claiming lots of loose balls.
32 points and 25 rebounds in his last 2 games alone.
9 fouls in those same games. He really has to reign in those and his turnover rate to be a true contender for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. But he's still out there putting in good numbers most of the time and we have confidence that he will continue to do so.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 16 \ PTS: 19.1 \ FG%: 51.8 \ 3P%: - \ FT%: 84.1 \ TRB: 9.3 \ AST: 3.4 \ STL: 1.1 \ BLK: 0.9 \ TOV: 3.4 \ PF: 3.4
Update: 2nd Nov 2022
Adebayo has been scoring heavily in his recent games. 49 points across 2 games. 13 points in 23 minutes in the game where the Miami Heat are currently trailing to the Golden State Warriors (70-77 at the time of writing).
This would surely not hurt his chances of winning awards this season, were it not for the fact that his other stats are not pulling their weight.
It is early in the season to draw too many conclusions but his average total rebounds (TRB) is lagging behind his last 3 seasons. His assists (AST) are down but his turnovers (TOV) are way above normal at an unacceptable 3.6 per game.
The only other area where Adebayo is giving his best performances is in blocking. He is averaging 1.1 block (BLK) per game so far.
Overall, it is not difficult to see why Bam Adebayo's DPOY odds have slipped from @ 7.00 to @ 9.00.
Original text:
A true defensive stalwart of the game. Despite his lack of size as centre, Adebayo has proven himself time and again against the biggest players in the NBA. He is also fast enough to guard the smaller, perimeter players.
With the Heat losing P.J. Tucker to Philadelphia, Bam Adebayo might find himself taking on extra defensive responsibilities this season. No bad thing for a player of his talents. And surely a step towards him taking his first-ever DPOY award.
Robert Williams III: @ 151.00 \\
Boston Celtics
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 8.00 — @ 14.00 — @ 31.00 — @ 201.00 — @ 151.00
Pre-season — 2nd Nov — 24th Nov — 7th Dec — 19th Dec
@ 276.00 — @ 201.00 — @ 226.00 — @ 401.00 — @ 101.00
26th Dec/2nd Jan — 12th Jan — 20th Jan — 10th Feb — 21st Feb
@ 151.00 \\
28th Feb
\\ Betting odds no longer available for this player
Born: November 12th 1988 - Shreveport, Louisiana
Measurements: 6’9” (2.06m), 237lb (107kg)
College: Texas A&M
NBA Draft: 27th pick, 2018
NBA debut: October 22nd, 2018
Position: Centre
Teams: Boston Celtics
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
G: 61 \ PTS: 10.0 \ FG%: 73.6 \ 3P%: - \ FT%: 72.2 \ TRB: 9.6 \ AST: 2.0 \ STL: 0.9 \ BLK: 2.2 \ TOV: 1.0 \ PF: 2.2
Update: 24th Nov 2022
Disappointingly for Robert Williams III, he will not be able to continue the great work he put in last season just yet.
His arthroscopic knee procedure in September was thankfully successful but has ruled him out of the first half of the 2022/'23 season. His chances of taking the DPOY award cannot fail to have been severely affected and we expect to see those odds lengthening significantly as time passes.
Original text:
Williams III’s 5th season should see him play an even more prominent role for the Boston Celtics. He was no slouch in ’21/’22. Putting in a career-best set of stats that must give him confidence heading into an exciting new challenge.
Ben Simmons @ 276.00 \\
Brooklyn Nets
Defensive Player of the Year betting odds progression:
@ 23.00 — @ 31.00 — @ 251.00 — @ 201.00 — @ 276.00 — @ 401.00
Pre-season — 2nd Nov — 30th Nov — 2nd Dec — 7th Dec — 19th Dec
@ 226.00 — @ 81.00 — @ 101.00 — @ 151.00 — @276.00
26th Dec — 2nd Jan — 12th Jan — 20th Jan — 1st/10th Feb
\\ Betting odds no longer available for this player
Born: July 20th 1996 - Melbourne, Australia
Measurements: 6’3” (1.90m), 200lb (90kg)
College: LSU
NBA Draft: 1st pick, 2016
NBA debut: October 18th, 2017
Position: Point guard
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets
2021/'22 averages per NBA game:
Did not play (holdout/back injury)
Update: 24th Nov '22
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 13 \ PTS: 8.2 \ FG%: 59.0 \ 3P%: - \ FT%: 50.0 \ TRB: 6.8 \ AST: 6.1 \ STL: 1.2 \ BLK: 0.7 \ TOV: 2.4 \ PF: 3.8
Well, Ben Simmons has certainly stuck to his job so far. His stats continue to improve as the season moves on. A genuinely excellent conversion rate for his 8.2 points per game. Defensively decent with the added bonus of some good assists.
So, why have the betting markets abandoned him? Who can say? Perhaps the off-court attention he has attracted puts sports bettors off? Despite improvements right across the board, Simmons' Defensive Player of the Year betting odds have collapsed to @ 251.00
Update: 16th Nov '22
Simmons has played in all of the games since our original post.
2022/'23 averages per NBA game:
G: 10 \ PTS: 5.8 \ FG%: 48.1 \ 3P%: - \ FT%: 47.1 \ TRB: 6.1 \ AST: 5.6 \ STL: 1.1 \ BLK: 0.5 \ TOV: 2.2 \ PF: 3.7
Still no sign of much improvement from Simmons. Reasonable assists to go with those shocking shooting percentages. 3.7 fouls per game? He's no Kelly Olynyk but still...
Original text
Simmons has been attracting some attention of his own. But for all the wrong reasons. Accusations have been levelled at him that suggest he is happy to be fouled out of games. The most recent news is that he is out for at least 2 games with 'knee soreness'.
After a full season with no games due to a holdout/back injury, we expected Simmons to start like a man possessed. He may have allowed other events to take his focus away from where it needs to be. Unless he takes serious steps to improve, we don't expect to see him troubling this list much longer.
Rest of the field
(odds progression: pre-season - most recent)
Joel Embiid
@ 19.00 - @ 17.00 - @ 31.00 - @ 15.00 - @ 12.00 - @ 18.00 - @ 23.00 - @ 18.00
@ 31.00 - @ 36.00 - @ 61.00 - @ 76.00 - @ 276.00
Draymond Green
@ 13.00 - @ 16.00 - @ 26.00 - @ 36.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 46.00 - @ 34.00 - @ 41.00
@ 51.00 - @ 31.00 - @ 23.00 - @ 51.00 - @ 56.00 - @ 76.00 - @ 101.00 \\
Mikal Bridges
@ 14.00 - @ 17.00 - @ 19.00 - @ 29.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 46.00 - @ 51.00 - @ 56.00
@ 201.00 - @ 401.00 - @ 201.00 - @ 226.00 - @ 276.00 \\
Anthony Davis
@ 15.00 - @ 21.00 - @ 19.00 - @ 29.00 - @ 20.00 - @ 26.00 - @ 19.00 - @ 71.00
@ 401.00 - @ 36.00 - @ 76.00
Marcus Smart
@ 18.00 - @ 23.00 - @ 26.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 46.00 - @ 51.00 - @ 67.00 - @ 101.00
@ 176.00 \\
Jrue Holiday
@ 23.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 31.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 46.00 - @ 51.00 - @ 67.00 - @ 71.00
@ 176.00 - @ 276.00 \\
Myles Turner
@ 23.00 - @ 29.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 36.00 - @ 76.00 - @ 81.00 - @ 101.00 - @ 176.00
@ 326.00 - @ 401.00 \\
Jarrett Allen
@ 26.00 - @ 31.00 - @ 26.00 - @ 31.00 - @ 21.00 - @ 34.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 31.00
@ 21.00 - @ 26.00 - @ 56.00 - @ 41.00 - @ 46.00 - @ 81.00 - @ 276.00
The Jump Hub tip: (pre-season)
Rudy Gobert @ 4.50
Best value odds bet:
Draymond Green @ 13.00
*Key to terms:
G: Games \ PTS: Points \ FG%: Field goal percentage \
3P%: 3-point percentage \ FT%: Free throw percentage \
TRB: Total rebounds \ AST: Assists \ STL: Steals \ BLK: Blocks \
TOV: Turnovers \ PF: Personal fouls \
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