The San Antonio Spurs haven’t been winning many games this season, but that’s not an indictment against Victor Wembanyama. The 20-year-old rookie has been amazing this season, especially on the defensive end of the court. He’s been a menace on defense and leads the league in total blocks by 35.
With how great Wembanyama has been on defense, some have suggested that he should be a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Some even believe that he has a case to take home the award. However, one former winner of the DPOY doesn’t think Wembanyama should be the victor.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green recently spoke about how Wembanyama shouldn’t be the DPOY when the Spurs aren’t a great defensive team. (H/t The Draymond Green Show; Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report)
“He’ll have these numbers and he’ll have opportunities to win Defensive Player of the Years,” Green said. “I personally don’t think that is this year. Even if [Minnesota Timberwolves center] Rudy Gobert wasn’t having the year that he’s having and their team wasn’t having the season that they’re having, I still don’t think you can give that award to somebody who’s on the 24th-best defense in the league.”
Wembanyama is amazing, but this isn’t his year for that award, according to Green.
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