Wembanyama vs Gobert: Who is the best defensive player of the season?

The Rookie of the Year award for the 2023-24 season is out of suspense for now, and Wembanyama will undoubtedly lift the trophy. But will he win two awards in his first season? Recently, there has been a growing discussion about who should be named the best defensive player of the year, Wemban or Gobert. So, who is the DPOY of the season?

In the latest DPOY odds list, Gobert (-500) is the top favourite, with Wembanyama (+300) in second place. Some time ago, there were other names on this list, but as the end of the season approaches, they are now the only ones left in the odds list, which means that the award will eventually be given between the two French centre-forwards.

Basic defensive stats competition: Wenban has the advantage

Both players have strong basket protection ability, while Wembanyama has the advantage of size and covers more area. Gobert is 2.16 meters tall and has an arm span of 2.36 meters, while Wembanyama is 2.24 meters tall and has an arm span of 2.44 meters.

So far this season, Wembanyama is averaging 3.5 blocks (first in the league) and 1.3 steals per game, and Gobert is averaging 2.1 blocks and 0.6 steals per game. The NBA also has a statistic of cut-off data, which refers to a defender who touches the ball with his hand while the opponent is not shooting and changes the direction of the ball, goes out of bounds, or misses. Wembanyama averaged 2.9 interceptions per game, compared to Gobert's 1.6. Gobert's defensive rebounds (9.2) are slightly higher than Wemban's (8.2).

Wembanyama has 290 steals + blocks (77 steals and 213 blocks) so far this season, which none of the last nine DPOYs have done in their election seasons.

Limit opponent shooting percentage: Gobert has the advantage

Wemban was more dominant in blocks and steals, but where Gobert was more influential was in limiting his opponent's shooting percentage.

One statistic that voted for the media was very concerned about the shooting percentage of opposing players within 6 feet. Wembanyama's stats are already quite impressive, as his players have averaged 64.5 percent from the field this range this season, compared to 54.1 percent against Wemban's defense, a drop of 10.4 percentage points.

Gobert's players against the pitch are shooting 63.2 percent in this range on average this season, compared to just 48.1 percent against Gobert's defense, a drop of 15.1 percentage points. This statistic also proves why Gobert was voted the best defensive player three times.

Team defensive efficiency: Gobert's biggest advantage for the award

In terms of defensive high-level statistics, Wembanyama and Gobert are not much different, which is also a statistic that media people like to refer to. However, when it comes to defensive efficiency, Gobert's advantage is overwhelming, and that's basically the most important reason why he's currently in the lead.

Gobert's Timberwolves have a defensive efficiency of 108.4, which ranks first in the league. In contrast, Wemban's Spurs are just a team that ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency. While Defensive Player of the Year is an individual award, many voters will look at whether or not it brings success to the team. The award is usually won by players from the top five teams in the league in defensive efficiency.

However, Goldsberry, a data expert, analyzes Wemban's defensive influence from a different angle. He wrote: "Wemban is the most influential defender in the NBA right now. In the past 15 games for the Spurs, Wemban has had an offensive efficiency of 111.4, a defensive efficiency of 106.0 (ranking first in the league), and a net efficiency of +5.3. When Wemban is not on the floor, he has an offensive efficiency of 107.9, a defensive efficiency of 118.0 (which ranks 25th in the league), and a net efficiency of -10.1. ”

Interestingly, when it comes to the race for Defensive Player of the Year, Wembanyama said: "I know Gobert has a good chance of winning Defensive Player of the Year this season and he deserves it. Let him win now, because it won't be his turn later. ”

Who do you think should be the best defensive player of the season? Should Wembanyama win two awards of the year?