NBA Defensive Player of the Year: December 8th, 2021 | Latest Power Rankings by Sportskeeda

The NBA season has already produced impressive individual and team performances.

Teams like the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns have dominated the Western Conference. On the other side, the Eastern Conference has plenty of contenders, including the Brooklyn Nets, as expected, and the surprising Chicago Bulls.

Although fans love to focus on offense, there have been plenty of impressive defenders. And some of those individuals are emerging as serious contenders for the Defensive Player of the Year awa.

Here's a look at this week's Defensive Player of the Year rankings.

---

No. 5: Anthony Davis

LA Lakers star Anthony Davis

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #4

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 24; Games won - 12; Games lost - 12

Last Week: PPG - 25.3, APG - 3.0, RPG - 9.0

Overall: PPG - 24.1, APG - 3.1, RPG - 10.3

Last Week: FG% - 61.5%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 62.5%

Overall: FG% - 52.4%, 3P% - 18.8%, FT% - 72.2%

Although LA Lakers forward Anthony Davis has fallen in this week's Power Rankings, Davis has the ability to rise again in the near future. The Lakers continue to try to find consistency and thereby climb in the Western Conference standings. Los Angeles (13-12) is tied for fifth in the West.

When at his best, Anthony Davis is one of the NBA's most versatile defenders. In the last week, Davis averaged 25.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting an impressive 61.5% from the field.

No. 4: Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #5

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 24; Games won - 20; Games lost - 4

Last Week: PPG - 9.0, APG - 1.7, RPG - 3.0

Overall: PPG - 12.1, APG - 1.9, RPG - 4.0

Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 60.0%, FT% - 100.0%

Overall: FG% - 53.8%, 3P% - 40.5%, FT% - 85.2%

After making his debut in last week's power rankings, Phoenix Suns small forward Mikal Bridges moves up to fourth. The versatile wing has started to generate buzz around the NBA with his impressive defensive ability. The Phoenix Suns (20-4) are tied with the Golden State Warriors for the league's best record, and his play has been a big reason.

Often drawing the assignment of guarding the opposition's best players, Bridges has made a huge impact with his length and ability to guard multiple positions at a high level. As long as the Suns continue to play at such a high level, there's going to be plenty of attention on Bridges' ability as a defender.

No. 3 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 2; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 22; Games won - 15; Games lost - 7

Last Week: PPG - 33.0, APG - 6.0, RPG - 12.5

Overall: PPG - 27.6, APG - 5.8, RPG - 11.8

Last Week: FG% - 64.1%, 3P% - 16.7%, FT% - 65.2%

Overall: FG% - 53.0%, 3P% - 30.0%, FT% - 67.9%

The Milwaukee Bucks (16-9 entering Wednesday night's game at Miami) have been one of the hottest teams, winning 10 of their past 11 games. As usual, superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is the foundation of that success. After a 6-8 start, Milwaukee's surge has pushed the Bucks to third in the Eastern Conference.

In two games last week, Antetokounmpo averaged 33.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 64.1% from the field. His defensive versatility has also stood out throughout the year as he has averaged 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

No. 2: Rudy Gobert

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert continues to impress

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 23; Games won - 16; Games lost - 7

Last Week: PPG - 15.0, APG - 2.0, RPG - 16.0

Overall: PPG - 14.9, APG - 1.0, RPG - 14.7

Last Week: FG% - 77.3%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 78.6%

Overall: FG% - 73.1%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 67.6%

The Utah Jazz (16-7) have the fourth-best winning percentage in the NBA (at 69.6%). The Jazz, who play at Minnesota on Wednesday night, are third in the Western Conference, just behind headliners Golden State and Phoenix. They have won eight of their past 10 games, and center Rudy Gobert continues to live up to his persona as "The Stifle Tower."

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been at the top of the power rankings for a number of weeks. Gobert will continue to be a serious candidate for the award if he keeps up his play. In his last week, Gobert averaged 15.0 points and 16.0 rebounds per game. On defense, he has averaged 1.0 steals and 2.3 blocks per game this season.

No. 1: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 23; Games won - 19; Games lost - 4

Last Week: PPG - 8.7, APG - 7.7, RPG - 9.3

Overall: PPG - 8.2, APG - 7.6, RPG - 8.0

Last Week: FG% - 57.1%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 50.0%

Overall: FG% - 56.3%, 3P% - 31.8%, FT% - 59.2%

After climbing up the power rankings to second overall previously, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green takes the top spot this week.

The Warriors, who host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, are tied with Phoenix for the NBA's best record. Although the team has had plenty of impressive offensive performances, veteran forward Draymond Green continues to be a massive part of the team's success with his defensive ability.

Green, the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year, has made a reputation as a versatile defender with his basketball IQ and ability to guard multiple positions.

Green has always been a centerpiece to Golden State's defense, making the All-Defensive Team in six of his 10 seasons with the Warriors. He is starting to find his groove in a big way this season, averaging 8.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game. On defense, he's averaging 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.