Introduction: Defense Wins Championships
As the NBA Defensive Player Race 2024 season reaches its midway point, the Defensive Player of the Year conversation has become one of the most compelling storylines in basketball. This year’s race features a fascinating mix of established stoppers and rising phenoms, with several NBA Defensive Player Race 2024 making historic defensive impacts that could reshape how we evaluate defense in the modern NBA.
In this definitive DPOY breakdown, we analyze:
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✔ Chet Holmgren’s unprecedented rookie defensive impact
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✔ Rudy Gobert’s quest for a record-tying 4th DPOY award
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✔ Underrated defenders making strong cases
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✔ Advanced metrics that separate contenders from pretenders
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✔ How defense is evolving in the pace-and-space era
From rim protectors to perimeter stoppers, these are the NBA Defensive Player Race 2024 defense in 2024.
The Frontrunner: Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
The Historic Rookie Case
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Blocks: 3.2 per game (1st in NBA)
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Defensive Rating: 104.3 (best among starters)
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Opponent FG% at rim: 48.1% (7% below league average)
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Team Impact: Thunder defense improves by 8.7 points per 100 with him on court
Why He Leads:
The 7’1″ unicorn is doing what no rookie has done before – anchoring the league’s 3rd-ranked defense while revolutionizing help defense with his unprecedented length and mobility. His ability to protect the rim and switch onto guards makes him the perfect modern defensive big.
“Holmgren isn’t just having the best defensive rookie season ever – he’s having one of the best defensive seasons period,” notes NBA NewsZ analyst Nate Duncan.
Prime Challengers
2. Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)
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Stats: 12.9 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 1.1 SPG
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Team Defense: Wolves rank 1st (106.4 defensive rating)
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Advanced Metrics: Leads NBA in defensive win shares (3.8)
X-Factor: Gobert’s presence deters 5.4 shots at rim per game (most in NBA)
3. Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
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Versatility: Can guard 1-5 effectively
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Stats: 1.8 SPG (1st among centers), 1.2 BPG
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Impact: Heat allow 109.2 points per 100 with him (would rank 2nd)
Second Tier Contenders
4. Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
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Switchability: Gold standard for mobile bigs
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Team Impact: Cavs defense improves by 6.9 when he plays
5. Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
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Stats: 2.4 BPG, 1.4 SPG
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Burden: Carrying too much offensive load?
6. Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics)
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Perimeter Defense: Still the NBA’s best guard stopper
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Clutch Plays: Leads NBA in charges drawn
Advanced Metrics Breakdown
| Player | Def RTG | Def WS | BLK% | STL% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holmgren | 104.3 | 3.5 | 7.1% | 1.8% |
| Gobert | 105.1 | 3.8 | 5.9% | 1.2% |
| Adebayo | 107.8 | 3.1 | 3.2% | 2.9% |
Source: NBA Advanced Stats
Historical Context
How this year’s race compares to past DPOY winners:
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2023: Jaren Jackson Jr. (3.0 BPG)
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2022: Marcus Smart (first guard since 1996)
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2021: Rudy Gobert (3rd award)
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2020: Giannis Antetokounmpo (versatility)
Holmgren could become first rookie winner since Manute Bol in 1986 (though unofficial at time).
Underrated Defenders Making Noise
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Herbert Jones (NOP): Best perimeter stopper nobody discusses
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Jarrett Allen (CLE): Elite rim protector (62.3% DFG%)
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Alex Caruso (CHI): Per-minute defensive monster
“Jones might be the most versatile defender in basketball,” says ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
Team Defense Impact
How DPOY candidates elevate their teams:
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Thunder: 108.1 Def RTG (3rd) with Holmgren
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Wolves: 106.4 Def RTG (1st) with Gobert
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Heat: Jump from 15th to 5th with Adebayo
Key Defensive Matchups to Watch
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Dec 28: Thunder @ Wolves (Holmgren vs. Gobert)
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Jan 15: Heat @ Cavs (Adebayo vs. Mobley)
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Feb 2: Lakers @ Celtics (Davis vs. Holiday)
Fantasy Basketball Impact
Defensive Stat Stuffs Worth Rostering:
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Holmgren (BLK, STL, REB)
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Mobley (BLK, STL, versatile)
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Caruso (STL, defensive plays)
Final Prediction: Current DPOY Ladder
Based on December play:
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Chet Holmgren (historic two-way impact)
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Rudy Gobert (best defensive metrics)
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Bam Adebayo (most versatile)
“This might be the year advanced stats and eye-test agree on DPOY,” argues NBA NewsZ film analyst Nate Duncan.
Conclusion: Defense Gets Its Due
The NBA Defensive Player Race 2024 showcases how NBA defense has evolved – from Holmgren’s revolutionary rim protection to Adebayo’s switchability. In a league increasingly focused on offense, these defenders remind us that stops still win championships. Whoever takes home the hardware will have earned it against historically strong competition.
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