Defensive Player Ladder: Rudy Gobert holds No. 1 spot, Ben Simmons rises
Last month, Gary Payton II was awarded the 2020-21 G League Defensive Player of the Year.
Gary Payton II and his more renowned father present an intriguing query to basketball defense enthusiasts: Does the D in DNA stand for defense?
It became legit to wonder after Payton II, 28, was named last month as the 2020-21 G League Defensive Player of the Year for his work with the Raptors 905 squad in the Orlando bubble. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Oregon State product averaged 2.54 steals to go with 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 13 games in the pandemic-shortened season. He got seven of his 33 steals, as well as 11 defensive rebounds, on Feb. 13 against the Ignite elite team.
If the G League maintained a Defensive Player Ladder similar to the NBA, Payton II would be at the pinnacle. He takes immense pride in the award he received.
“In a recent phone interview, he shared, “I’ve been exposed to that mentality my entire life, simply by observing my father. I believe it’s about pride. I find joy in guarding the best player [from the opposing team] and neutralising them. I enjoy creating chaos on that side of the court, regardless of whether I’m guarding a guard or a big. I believe my natural instincts prevail.”
It’s in his DNA!
Congrats to the @nbagleague Defensive Player of the Year GPll.#RoadToTheSix pic.twitter.com/zxMaTMWMia
— Raptors 905 (@Raptors905) March 19, 2021
This is where the debate of nature versus nurture arises.
In the 39-year history of the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, the only point guard to win it is Payton the elder. He clinched the award in the 1995-96 season, receiving 56 first-place votes and outpacing other notable defensive players. These included Scottie Pippen who received 15 votes, Dikembe Mutombo with 11 votes, David Robinson with 9 votes, Hakeem Olajuwon with 8 votes, Michael Jordan with 7 votes, and Dennis Rodman with 4 votes.
Payton received the award during a streak of nine consecutive All-Defense first-team selections. During the 1995-96 season, under coach George Karl’s unique and heavily switching style, Seattle dominated the Western Conference. They finished with a 64-18 record, with defensive and net ratings surpassed only by the Bulls. The season culminated in a face-off with Chicago in the Finals, where they lost in six games.
Payton, nicknamed “The Glove” for his ability to stick closely to his opponents, ended that season in sixth place in the MVP balloting. This was one of eight instances where he ranked in the Top 10.
Gary Payton's Best Defensive Plays
Take a look at some of Gary Payton’s career highlights in defense.
Payton II claims that his appreciation for defense began surprisingly early. He was just 3 years old during the 1996 Finals, but insists that he learned from what he observed, believe it or not.
“He said, “It all began from that point, everything that happened that season. Subsequently, there were numerous players I was raised with, who were frequent visitors to the gym, such as [Jason] Kidd, Kevin Garnett, and other family friends. I would also seek their advice, attempting to absorb as much knowledge as possible.”
It’s indeed plausible that Payton II acquired his undesirable nickname, “The Mitten,” around that time. He admitted trying to put an end to it on multiple occasions, chuckling as he added, “It just stuck, I suppose.”
The common image of a great basketball player with their young child is usually the parent lifting the child near the hoop so they can easily and enjoyably drop the ball through. However, the Paytons seemingly didn’t follow this norm, nor did they focus on improving footwork or persistence at the other end of the court.
Payton II, who has four siblings who do not play, said, “As we grew up, he was always challenging us. I believe that was his way of instilling competitiveness in us. However, it wasn’t as if we were constantly in the gym practicing defensive exercises. I simply started understanding it at a young age because I was constantly around it.”
“Subsequently, it came back to me when I aged. My father somewhat allowed me to independently figure things out. It primarily revolves around repetition. I do study the play style of some individuals, aiming to cause as much disruption as possible.”
The NBA’s developmental league has been awarding its DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) since 2002. Some of the most successful recipients of this award, based on the number of games they have subsequently played in the NBA, are Chris Boucher from Toronto, and former role players DeAndre Liggins, Greg Stiemsma, and Mikki Moore.
Payton II clearly views it as an honor he would prefer not to win consecutively. Between 2016 and 2020, he participated in 61 NBA games with the Bucks, the Lakers, and the Wizards. His objective is to return to the league, and he thinks his defensive skills could be his path back.
“This season, I was tasked with the defense of many power forwards and centers,” said Payton II. “I have no issue competing against the larger players, in fact, I believe I play a more physical style than the league tends to prefer. I often express that, given the opportunity, I’d relish playing in the same era as my father did, during the ’90s. I would have thrived in the rougher, more physical style of play that was permitted then.”
I now employ more mental strategies, aiming to outmaneuver the offensive player and discover methods to unsettle him. My primary focus is finding the right environment and timing. I’m also striving to secure one solid year, so I can impress some individuals, potentially leading to contract commitments for several years.
Here are this week’s Top 5 on the Defensive Player Ladder for the 2020-21 season:
(All stats through Monday, April 5)
1. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Last week’s Ladder: 1
Gobert isn’t just a probable candidate for his third Defensive Player of the Year award, but he’s also expected to get a few MVP votes due to his influence on Utah’s performance, efficacy, and the injury conditions of typical contenders like Joel Embiid, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. However, it is his performance as a rim protector and aid – marked by a 6.6 percentage point difference in rivals’ field goal percentage, the 19.5 Defensive Field Goal Attempts he encounters, and his 0.168 defensive win shares – that powers the overall play of the Jazz. So, don’t look now.
Gonna let @georgesniang20 say it: "I don't think anybody affects the game more defensively than Rudy does and that's just a fact."
DPOY X 3 pic.twitter.com/R3UzBgm7Cv
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 30, 2021
2. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
Last week’s Ladder: 3
In part due to Simmons’ strong case for Defensive Player of the Year, Philadelphia has maintained its position in defensive rankings despite Joel Embiid’s injury. Simmons, who takes pride in guarding the opposition’s biggest scoring threats, averages 1.5 steals, 3.5 deflections, and recovers 1.3 loose balls per game. Throughout the season, he has been the NBA’s top defender on the ball.
3. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Last week’s Ladder: 2
The Pacers’ center continues to lead in blocks per game (3.5) and total blocks (156). He also blocked eight shots in the past three games Indiana played. However, Turner has consistently been in the negative, accumulating a minus-38, even though the team was only outscored by 16 in their 1-2 record.
Myles Turner defense to up the @Pacers win! pic.twitter.com/Zi08zAbNbB
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2021
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s Ladder: 5
The defensive whiz of Milwaukee has an impressive 106.6 defensive rating. He allows opponents to make 41.7% of their shots. [ NBA.com/Stats | Players Defense Dash Overall ] Under the strategies of coach Mike Budenholzer in the past three games, the previous year’s DPOY and his team have outperformed other teams by 10.1 points, reducing their shooting to 42.1%.
Caruso, meet the DPOY. pic.twitter.com/goLbtSOdaq
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 1, 2021
5. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Last week’s Ladder: N/A
Sometimes, it can be challenging to distinguish between the individual and the team on this Ladder. For instance, Utah has players like Gobert, Mike Conley, and others. The Sixers have Simmons, a healthy Embiid, and Matisse Thybulle. Milwaukee boasts Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, etc. Meanwhile, the Heat have Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, both deserving of defensive recognition. Adebayo is given preference for participating in more games, being the mainstay of Miami’s defense, and contributing a 7-point difference when he’s playing vs. when he’s not. [ NBA.com/Stats | Miami Heat ]
Bam showing his versatility defending Steph here: pic.twitter.com/t80n6c0CP0
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 2, 2021
The Next Five
(In no particular order)
T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers
- After averaging 0.5 steals and Pacers going 1-3, slips from top 5.
Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia 76ers
- Based on a 37.1% DFG%, he is a great challenger and nuisance to those around him.
OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
- With a wingspan and footwork that limits opponents to just 34.7% in non-restricted area paint shots.
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
- The feisty point guard, who acts like a coach on the floor, is particularly strong on the defensive end.
Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks
- Men who play against him average only 0.81 points per possession.
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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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