NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2020: November Power Rankings
The Most Valuable Player Award understandably attracts the most interest from NBA fans and players alike, although the prestige of the Defensive Player of the Year Award continues to build with each passing season. The award honors the best defensive player of the regular season, and 21 different players have taken home the trophy since its inception during the 1982–83 NBA season.
Marc Gasol, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green, and Rudy Gobert are among the recent winners of the title, and competition will be intense this year due to the number of excellent defenders around the league. So, as we approach the end of November, here we will take a look at the five players that are in the running to be named 2020 Defensive Player of the Year.
#5 Jonathan Isaac - Orlando Magic
Entering the season, Jonathan Isaac wasn't among the players expected to be in contention to take home the Defensive Player of the Year Award, although the 22-year-old has been excellent during the first six weeks of the season. Following a promising but inconsistent first two years in the league, Isaac has been Orlando's best performer and has been the main reason behind the team's improved defense this season.
Only Anthony Davis is currently averaging more blocks per game than Isaac's (2.86), and the forward also posted a career-high six blocks against the Dallas Mavericks. He is also averaging a career-high 7.1 rebounds per contest, and his steals per game total has increased to 1.4. Due to his age, Isaac may struggle to replicate his current numbers over the course of an entire season, although he is currently in the mix.