Milwaukee Bucks: Brook Lopez making his case for Defensive Player of the Year
By Dalton Sell
Anchoring the Milwaukee Bucks’ defense for a second season, Brook Lopez‘s lockdown play on that end should make him a major contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Playing in his second season with the Milwaukee Bucks, center Brook Lopez has elevated this defense beyond measure. With his defensive numbers ranking among the league’s best, the big man should be in the conversation for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Standing atop the NBA with a league-best 39-6 record, the Milwaukee Bucks have been on a tear for the entire season. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will get the most credit for this success as he remains the favorite to repeat for that award, but it has indeed been a team effort.
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Part of this success comes from Brook Lopez, who has been a defensive force. Ranking third in the league for blocked shots, the center stands at a career-best 2.6 blocks per game. This sensational play has contributed to Milwaukee’s particularly stingy, league-best tally of just 38.3 opponent points allowed in the paint per game.
Aside from that, Milwaukee also leads the league with a fantastic 101.2 defensive rating. Additionally the Bucks, led by the ability of Brook and his brother Robin Lopez‘s elite ability to box out, dominate the defensive glass. As a result, opponents score second-chance points at a mere 11.0 per game clip against Milwaukee. Though Brook has not been solely responsible for these stats, he has set the tone and led the way for this star-studded defense.
Averaging 3.1 blocks in his last 10 games, Lopez is performing at a career-best level on the defensive end, and offering up the kind of defensive contributions that stand up with some of the more historic defensive campaigns in recent year. Overall, Brook’s blocks have been a massive contribution to Milwaukee’s 6.3 blocks per game, which is currently third-best in the league.
This stellar defense from Lopez was on full display during the Bucks’ January 18 win versus the Brooklyn Nets. Brook finished with a phenomenal five blocked shots, as the Bucks cruised to a 117-97 win against his former team.
Lopez received some high praise from teammate, and 2019 All-Defense First Team selection, Eric Bledsoe after that game, with the point guard proclaiming, “I think he is the Defensive Player of the Year.” These are certainly some appreciative words, but the 31-year-old center has been backing it up all season with his play.
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Struggling to find a groove on offense after a breakout season shooting the ball last year, Lopez has genuinely upped his game on the defensive end. If the veteran can continue performing at this high level, there is no reason he cannot win the Defensive Player of the Year honors on the league’s most lethal team.