The NBA Defensive Player of the Year discussion is buzzing, and Jalen Williams wants to be heard. The Oklahoma City Thunder star has sparked an interesting conversation about the DPOY award. And he is making debatable points in the conversation.
During his recent appearance on ‘The Old Man And Three’ podcast, Williams voiced his frustration. The Thunder small forward feels unjust that the award often overlooks the contributions of guards and perimeter defenders. He suggested that the league should consider creating a separate DPOY award for guards.
“I think there should be two Defensive Player of the Year. I have got a lot to say about the rules. This is not a diss to any bigs who get it. All of them were deserving. Rudy, Jaren, but defense is very different for certain players. I can be a really good defender without averaging a lot of steals. Like Herb Jones is not first in steals but if you ask everybody around the NBA who the best defenders are, he’s gonna be in top-five conversations,” Williams said during the podcast.
"I think there should be two Defensive Player of the Year's… it's just a big every year" — Jalen Williams has got a lot to say about the current NBA rules…NEW YM3 DROPS TOMORROW! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/6BnkVyNZsv
— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) January 14, 2025
“I think if you have a big and a guard defensive (player of the year). It’s just a big every year and I think it’s just based on blocks. A guard doesn’t have to protect the rim but a big hasn’t had to chase a pin-down,” he added.
As he said, this one-dimensional perspective on defense fails to recognize the different roles that players, especially guards, fulfill on the court. Williams, who backed his teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the MVP award, highlighted the case of Herb Jones. Despite not leading in steals, Jones is widely regarded as one of the elite defenders in the league.
Also Read: Kevin Love Has Social Media In A Chokehold Over His Post About Adult Star Who Slept With 1000 Men
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Jalen Williams Gets Jaylen Brown’s Nod On DPOY Suggestion
Jalen Williams’ recent suggestion to split the DPOY award into two categories got an agreeing nod from Jaylen Brown. A key defender for the Boston Celtics, Brown quickly backed this idea with a simple “Agreed.” This endorsement came in wake of a common frustration among perimeter defenders who often go unnoticed while big men dominate the award scene. Brown’s support reflects the need for greater recognition of the roles that guards and wings play in defense.
Agreed https://t.co/nU2n1EM8k5
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) January 15, 2025
Brown’s snub from last season’s All-Defensive Team was a significant oversight, especially given his crucial part in helping the Celtics earn the second-best defense in the league. His presence on the court allows him to guard multiple positions effectively, yet he often lacks the flashy stats that typically win awards. By endorsing Williams‘ idea, Brown is advocating for a fairer evaluation of defensive contributions, ensuring that players who tackle tough matchups night after night receive the acknowledgment they deserve.
The NBA is at a turning point where it can rethink how it recognizes defensive excellence. With Williams’ proposal and Brown’s backing, there’s a chance for change that could benefit all defensive players.
