The Oklahoma City Thunder have the best defensive team in the NBA this season, yet they don’t have any players really getting considered for any defensive honors. NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins is one person who’s definitely confused by this, wondering why Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t in DPOY talks.
“When it comes down to the Defensive Player of the Year, why does it lean toward the big wings and big men?” Perkins asked. “The Oklahoma City Thunder have the best defensive team in the NBA. They have the MVP in SGA…He’s number two in steals, so let’s go to the other side of the floor for SGA. Why isn’t he in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation?”.
Perkins continued his line of questioning, stating how good of a defender Alexander is this year.
“He’s top 20 in opponent field goal percentage, he’s top five in blocks among guards, he’s number two in steals, his team leads every defensive category, they’re number one. Why is he not in that conversation?”.
Perkins does have a point. Alexander is the anchor of the Thunder, both on offense and on defense. When he’s on the bench, they don’t play as well, and when he’s on the floor, they are borderline unstoppable.
It’s hard for players to win two major awards in the same season, though. The last to do it was Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2019-20 season, where was the third player to ever win MVP and DPOY at the same time.
So while Alexander should be considered, the narrative surrounding his play will probably stop him from winning the DPOY. However, it seems he’s a lock for MVP, so at least he will still be recognized as the league’s most valuable player.
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