Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons why Anthony Davis is the DPOY favorite

Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Reasons why Anthony Davis is the DPOY favorite

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 04: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 4, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2.) Voter fatigue with Gobert

It’s not as if the reigning DPOY Rudy Gobert suddenly stopped being an elite defender, but we’ve seen in the past how voter fatigue also plays a role in awards voting. Gobert has won DPOY the past two years, and only one other player in NBA history has three-peated the award — Dwight Howard.

Given how exceedingly rare it is for a player to pull off such a feat, and the fact that Davis is producing a new defensive highlight on a nightly basis, Gobert has kind of been overshadowed in the race for the award. It also doesn’t help that the Jazz have been blown out a number of times already which never helps a player’s case for DPOY.

Gobert is an exceptional defender, perhaps one of the best rim protectors we have in the NBA right now, and chances are, he’s in line for more DPOYs in the future, but with the struggles the Jazz have had so far, coupled with the rise of the Lakers led by Davis’ defensive contributions, it’s looking more and more likely that this just isn’t Gobert’s year.

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