The NBA has seen its fair share of elite defenders who never took home the coveted DPOY award—players like Tim Duncan come to mind. Bam Adebayo, the Miami Heat’s defensive anchor, finds himself in a similar predicament. Despite consistently delivering elite defensive performances, Adebayo has yet to emerge as a top candidate for the award.
In an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Adebayo shed light on why he believes his contributions on the defensive end often go unnoticed. He pointed to the league’s internal politics and and Miami’s struggles this season to stay in the NBA playoff picture.
“Politics, you know? You can’t really help it,” Adebayo admitted. “Some dudes have power over the media, and some dudes don’t. But in my case, we can’t really voice for it if we’re in the 10th spot. Now, if we’re in the 3rd spot or 4th spot? You could say something”.
Adebayo made it clear that he has no intention of lobbying for the award through media exposure, even if that’s what it takes to win. “I’ve tried to—I ain’t gonna say beg—but try to showcase and try to put yourself out there, and to me, it’s just too much,” he continued. “If I have to go through media outlets and do all this to get somebody to give me Defensive Player of the Year, I’m cool”.
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during a game at Fiserv Forum. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
After being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team last season, many expected Adebayo to be a serious contender for the DPOY this year. But his faith in his own defensive prowess remains unwavering. When asked who should win, Adebayo replied, “I don’t know. I’m gonna say myself but, like I said, it’s hard to say me when we’re in the 10th spot”.
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Draymond Green stakes his claim for DPOY
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, a perennial defensive stalwart, is one of the frontrunners for this year’s DPOY award. Alongside names like Evan Mobley, Dyson Daniels, and Ivica Zubac, Green is making his case for why he deserves the honor once again.
“Listen, I think Evan Mobley has had a great year. Dyson Daniels has had a great year. I think Zubac has had a great year. All those guys have had great years. I ain’t taking nothing away from them—and I see them on First-Team All-Defense. But I think DPOY should go to yours truly. I’ll take that,” Green declared on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.
Why Green believes he’s the best defender
Green didn’t stop at staking his claim for the award; he explained why his skill set sets him apart from the competition. “No matter what the situation is for me defensively, I’m fit for it,” Green explained. “I protect the rim, I can guard the pick and roll, I can trap the pick and roll and still guard my man without help, which I think is a skill that I have in the NBA that I don’t think anyone else possesses”.
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