Defensive Player of the Year: Robert Covington, Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
It’s time to put some respect on Robert Covington’s name. After making First Team All-Defense last season, Covington is single-handedly transforming the Timberwolves defense in lieu of the Jimmy Butler trade.
Since acquiring Covington, the Wolves have statistically been the NBA’s best defense. Covington ranks in the 100th percentile among wings in steal percentage and the 94th percentile in block percentage, per CTG.
He’s also first in the NBA in Defensive Player Impact Plus-Minus, the explanation for which you can read here. The Wolves were a genuinely bad defensive team prior to the Butler trade, and that’s with an All-Defense candidate in Butler. Covington is taking them to new heights.
Some of Minnesota’s success can be attributed to removing the Butler-induced funk, but Covington’s impact is undeniable. He’s arguably the best off-ball defender in the NBA, working his way into passing lanes, racking up delectations and chasing down weak-side blocks.