NBA SIMS LEAGUE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH - Week 14
| PLAYER | TEAM | WHY | STATS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | PER 44.27 |  Western 47-35 | Another year and another consideration for defensive player of the year for Giannis. The man averages 1.4 steals and 2.1 blocks with 12.5 rebounds and his length and speed affect everything around the court and rim. His impact is undeniable and far beyond even his lofty stats suggest as he closes down lanes and forces defenders to make mistakes that don't show up on the stat sheet. | 10.2 DREB 1.6 STL 2.0 BLK +8.5 |
 | PER 39.55 |  Eastern 59-23 | Shai you say? Yes. He's a 6'5 PG so has the size on alot of other PGs and his steal numbers are off the charts with his quick hands and good instincts. 2.1 steals and 1 block per game as he does it all for the Bucks, trying to get them to go back to back. last week he even averaged 3.5 steals a game, which is massive! He might be more suited to the MVP award, but he's worth noting here too. | 3.7 DREB 2.1 STL 0.9 BLK +7.9 |
 | PER 39.24 |  Eastern 55-27 | Lebron is back people. Well, he never left, but while he has been probably the most consistent player in the league for 20 years, he doesn't get the same fanfare and hype because you just expect it! This year, his numbers have put him back in the conversation and hype train, and so they should. Without him, where would the Wiz be? 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks is less on paper than some others but he's the anchor and defensive leader in a championship genuine favourite. | 7.2 DREB 1.0 STL 1.7 BLK +6.5 |
 | PER 39.01 |  Eastern 44-38 | KD a defensive man now? You better believe it. He's using his length and athleticism more than ever as the years go on and at 6'11 with guard mobility he's been catching guys out alot this year in Toronto. 1 steal and 2 blocks per game on paper and he's been manning that paint more with the Raps without a true C option most of the year. Is Turner even that guy with his outside tendencies? KD has been elite. | 6.5 DREB 1.0 STL 2.0 BLK +7.3 |
 | PER 36.71 |  Eastern 39-43 | Tatum has been asked to do more and more over the year and this year he's really been locking down on top guys on the opposition as well as leading the offence. His numbers are way off the pace compared to more others, but his steals are on the rise. Still, he's just below 1 steal and 1 block per game on the season and his impact is more seen off the boxscore. | 5.9 DREB 0.8 STL 0.7 BLK +1.3 |
 | PER 33.35 |  Western 48-34 | Another name, another stud on the shelf for the year and won't make the games requirement. Davis is always here and was again this year with 1.2 steals, 1.9 blocks and 12 rebounds per game anchoring the high playoff bound Wolves. He's always in the top 5 in the league, too, and is a flat out 2way stud. | 9.7 DREB 1.3 STL 1.9 BLK +3.1 |
 | PER 32.49 |  Western 46-36 | The Joker doesn't get spoken about much for his defense, but he's hauling in 17 rebounds per game with 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks, which really goes under the radar of who he is to everybody. But, he's been a genuine defensive guy for the Rockets this year who are starved of many or any other options on that end of the court. He probably won't get the nod over the guys who effect more that aren't stats, but it's worth noting where he has got to. | 11.8 DREB 1.7 STL 1.2 BLK +4.6 |
 | PER 32.31 |  Eastern 47-35 | Wemby was the man last year, but his numbers have come down to a more realistic, yet still ballistic number this year. The big man is averaging 15 rebounds with 2 steals and 2.7 blocks and the only thing that makes that less appealing is that he was averaging 5 blocks last year! In the end, the missed games are likely going to hurt his overall chances at the award, but they don't make him any less on a menace when he is on the court. | 11.9 DREB 1.9 STL 2.8 BLK +3.9 |
 | PER 31.84 |  Western 50-32 | Embiid is here every year and he at least garners a mention here, though he won't have played enough games. 1.4 steals and 2.3 blocks is right up there for a big man in the Giannis and Wemby territory and he's the anchor that could have sent the jazz to a title. But, now we here. | 10.1 DREB 1.5 STL 2.3 BLK +5.6 |
 | PER 23.61 |  Eastern 48-34 | KAT is another guy not known for his defensive prowess, but he's been more than solid this year for the Hornets. 2 steals and 2 blocks per game is Wemby territory, in fact, you'd be hard press to find another guy in the league other than Wemby who is averaging those numbers! That is how quietly good he has been. Throw in nearly 16 rebounds per game and you have a legit big man anchoring a legit playoff team. | 12.6 DREB 1.9 STL 1.8 BLK +1.4 |