The NBA regular season is on its last weekend, which means the NBA awards season is nearly here. While the MVP race has been a fierce race, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has run away with the Defensive Player of the Year award.
In each of the last three seasons, Wembanyama has led the league in blocks per game. This season, he’s sent away 3.1 shots per night while also grabbing 1.0 steal per game. Those numbers alone are worthy of a DPOY, but what sets Wembanyama apart from other candidates like Chet Holmgren and Rudy Gobert is his next-level impact on the opposing team’s offense.
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Obviously, those other candidates affect the game as well. But when Wembanyama is on the floor, opposing teams don’t look like themselves.
His presence in the paint has kept opposing ball handlers from even attempting a shot at the rim. His ability to alter the opponents’ gameplan has made the Spurs an elite team on defense.
Not only does he possess other-worldly physical traits that make him a threat, he also has incredible instincts and defensive IQ.
That combination spells disaster for opposing offenses that thrive on scoring at the rim. This impact extends far beyond the restricted area. The agility he possesses at his size allows him to cover immense amounts of space on the perimeter.
Other elite defenders at his position often struggle on the outside against smaller players. The same cannot be said about Wembanyama, who’s quickness and footwork allow him to guard almost anybody.
When it comes to advanced defensive stats, Wembanyama is in the top five in nearly all of them. These numbers also extend to team success, as the Spurs have a top-five offense and boast their first 60-win season since 2016-17.
To put it simply, Wembanyama dominated every aspect of the race and ran away with the DPOY award this season. At the age of 22, it could easily be the first of many.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
