With the 2022-23 NBA season entering its final week, it’s time to take a look at the league’s major award races. While the contentious MVP race has garnered most of the attention, each of the league’s five major individual player awards has multiple worthy candidates. We asked our ESPN panel members to make their picks, knowing that the last handful of games to be played between now and Sunday could have a significant impact on who ends up taking home the hardware.
So who did our experts single out for Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player?
1. Who is your pick for 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year?
Israel Gutierrez: This one has seemed like a bit of a runaway for Jaren Jackson Jr., until you realize Brook Lopez has played 16 more games and 618 more minutes than Jackson so far this season. That’s nearly a quarter of the schedule. So while Jackson has had one of the most impressive statistical defensive seasons for a big man since Ben Wallace was a regular candidate for the award, will the extra games give Lopez the edge? Both teams are neck and neck when it comes to defensive efficiency, and while Jackson averages more blocks (3.0) and defensive rebounds (5.1) than Lopez (2.5 and 4.7), he also commits one more foul per game than Lopez and plays fewer minutes per game (30.3 to 28.1). DPOY is always tricky because stats can’t tell the entire story. But give me Jackson to overcome the games played deficit and win DPOY for anchoring a young Grizzlies defense in spectacular fashion.
Kendra Andrews: After getting his first All-Star nod, I think Jackson will get his first DPOY award as well. Jackson has been absolutely dominant when it comes to blocking shots, averaging 3.0 per game, and his overall defensive presence has been key for Memphis with opponents shooting 14.6% worse against him.
Kirk Goldsberry: This is a two-man race between Lopez and Jackson, both of whom are among the NBA’s most impactful rim protectors. Like Zach Lowe, I believe Jackson is the best defensive player in the league per minute this season; however, between his missed time and his perpetual foul trouble, he hasn’t seen the court enough. His rim protection stats are stunning — opponents are making under 45% of their layups when he contests shots. The issue is Lopez is not far behind him in these kinds of stats, and he is less prone to fouls, not to mention much more reliable as a defensive force for…
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