I think my list will have Rudy, AD, Bam Adebayo, Brook Lopez, Mitchell Robinson as the top 5 defenders in my DPOY race so far.

Other Notable defenders: OG, Dillon Brooks, Herb Jones, Alex Caruso all deserve some appreciation

  • le_sweden@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Yes but 3rd best on the wolves after Rudy and Jaden (in that order IMO). Ant has been great, but still isn’t always locked in, whereas Rudy is my DPOY so far and Jaden is at least all defense second team (lots of great wing defenders in the NBA). Great article from the Star Tribune just came out today (twin cities flagship paper) on how the wolves have given Rudy the keys to the kingdom on defense just like teams do with superstars on offense:

    Finch said that during his time as an assistant in New Orleans coaching Jrue Holiday, he realized that a team should collaborate with its best defensive player the way it might with its best offensive player. He has applied that philosophy in having Gobert play a significant role in outlining the themes of the Wolves defense.

    “I’ve always had the approach with offensive players that you’ve got to give them great freedom, and several years ago it struck me before I became coach here, why don’t we do the same with defensive players?” Finch said. “You have to give those players an incredible amount of freedom to be able to navigate a lot of situations in the league that they have to face against these guys every night.”

    Highly recommend the article if you are interested either in some NBA defensive scheming talk in general or specifically how the wolves transformed their approach to become one of the best in the league this year! Well written by one of our best beats, Chris Hine.

      • le_sweden@alien.topB
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        1 year ago

        You’re right. I feel like ANT goes an extra level when he really wants but in general NAW is a better defender— excited to see him keep it up with Jaden out