Victor Wembanyama has enjoyed a strong rookie season, establishing himself as one of the best young players in the NBA. The 7’4” French phenom’s defense specifically has caught the eyes of observers, as some believe the San Antonio Spurs big man should be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year.
Wembanyama currently leads the league with 3.4 blocks per game and is tied for 12th with 1.3 steals a game, and his eight-foot wingspan creates all kinds of havoc for opposing offenses.
But not everyone believes Wembanyama should be considered for the DPOY award. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who won the award in 2016-17, doesn’t think the Spurs’ defense is good enough to consider Wembanyama for DPOY yet.
“He’ll have the opportunity to win Defensive Player of the Years. I personally don’t think that it’s this year,” Green said on his podcast, The Draymond Green Show. “I still don’t think you can give that award to somebody who’s on the 24th best defense in the league.”
.@Money23Green tells us why he doesn't have Wemby winning DPOY this season pic.twitter.com/rcizeVbG0L
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 6, 2024
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is the favorite to win the award for the fourth time in his career, especially considering his team leads the Western Conference with a 43–19 record. The Timberwolves boast the league’s stingiest defense, allowing just 106.5 points per game—far better than the 120.2 that San Antonio allows.
Wembanyama is much more likely to win the Rookie of the Year award, where his chief competition is Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren.
The young Spurs star probably will win a Defensive Player of the Year victory at some point, but Green says it shouldn’t be this year.
