NBA SIMS LEAGUE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH - Week 4
| PLAYER | TEAM | WHY | STATS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | PER 44.49 |  Western 35-30 | Giannis could have another season like he did a few years back where he won the MVP, DPOY and Championship, though his team doesn't look capable enough to hold up their end of the bargain. He will be in discussions for DPOY and MVP if he can keep up his sickening averages of 48 points, 12 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. He will need to edge out some incredible defensive numbers this season as the Paint Beast appears to be back in this year's 2k, still his overall production will have him in the mix. | 9.7 DREB 1.6 STL 2.0 BLK +6.5 |
 | PER 39.44 |  Eastern 47-19 | The former MVP will be in discussions for DPOY once again as this two-way star continues to accumulate across the board. This rendition of the Bucks looks extremely good defensively though the results haven't gone their way thus far this year. It does feel like the tide is turning and the defending champs are starting to find their killer instinct. Through the first four weeks SGA averaged defensive numbers of 2.1 steals, 0.6 blocks and 5 rebounds. Not huge numbers but elite from your starting point guard. | 3.5 DREB 1.9 STL 0.6 BLK +8.1 |
 | PER 39.07 |  Eastern 39-26 | KD has seen the sidelines the past couple of weeks as he recovers from an ankle injury which has left the Raps looking a little shallow, especially since Steph Curry has joined him on the pine. From a defensive point a view the Durantula has been formiddable and has averaged a steal, 2.3 blocks and 7 rebounds a game to go along with his 34 points. There's room for growth with his numbers though it's going to be tough for KD to keep up with some of the defensive specialists who do everything on that end just a little better. | 5.5 DREB 0.9 STL 1.9 BLK +8.2 |
 | PER 38.17 |  Eastern 40-24 | Lebron is having a similar start to the season as his Western counterpart Giannis. Killing every statistical category including the defensive ones, Lebron will be in the mix for both MVP and DPOY. To go with this, the Wizards are the team to beat this year. They've cruised through the first month with only one defeat and are striking fear into every opponent. His season averages of 40 points, 9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 2 blocks are as impressive as any candidate here and he might even be the front runner for the award at this early stage of the year. | 7.6 DREB 1.3 STL 2.2 BLK +10.7 |
 | PER 33.18 |  Western 38-26 | A perrenial DPOY candidate, Davis will once again be in the mix. With averages of 12 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2 blocks, he truly is one of the absolute elite two way guys in the league. It'll be interesting to see how the new GM gets AD involved on both ends as it seems he's already playing big minutes- close to 40 per game. If he can stay healthy and sustain his huge defensive numbers, AD will be a contender for DPOY once again. | 9.9 DREB 1.3 STL 2.0 BLK +3.0 |
 | PER 32.73 |  Western 40-25 | The Joker has been a key piece in one of the league's best teams to start the season and the interesting thing to note is his defensive play has been as impressive as his offensive game. He could be a dark horse for this award especially as he appears to be playing the role of the defensive anchor while Haliburton and Maxey gun from outside. His defensive numbers of 1.6 steals, 1.6 blocks and 18 rebounds have him amongst the elite in the league at this point of the season. | 11.7 DREB 1.6 STL 1.4 BLK +4.7 |
 | PER 32.01 |  Eastern 37-27 | The only guy on this list according to GM Yeet and defending DPOY, Victor Wembanyama has had a slow opening in line with expectations but he's trending up. His defensive numbers however, have been exceptional, good enough to top this list to this point of the season. After playing in 3 of the opening 4 weeks Wemby has averaged 13 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.2 blocks. No one is safe when cutting to the lane as this 2k monster will likely go back to back in the DPOY award. | 11.6 DREB 2.0 STL 2.7 BLK +2.9 |
 | PER 31.74 |  Western 40-25 | The enigma that is Joel Embiid got an early week of action due to Spotac not counting suspensions. It's been a season to forget for him in the NBA but the NSL has shown promise. In his only week of action Embiid averaged 16.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks which is more than enough to have him on this list. He's a truly elite big man when he plays. | 9.0 DREB 1.7 STL 1.7 BLK +3.7 |
 | PER 21.74 |  Western 22-41 | Arriviang via free agency, Hartenstein was one of the steals of FA day. He's just played his first week for the Warriors and has looked the part in his new home town. With 15 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.8 blocks, the walking double double has put himself on the map as a candidate for the award. It'll be interesting to watch Hartenstein over the coming weeks as he gets more burn in Daz's squad. I'm sure this superstar GM will look to accentuate every possible number from one of the shining lights on his roster. | 10.3 DREB 2.0 STL 1.8 BLK +0.7 |
 | PER 20.95 |  Western 39-25 | Runner up in last year's DPOY, Chet has recently found himself in a new destination. He's played one week this season and will get a run in week 5 though he's out for significant time in the NBA with a fractured hip. His NBA Thunder are rolling so you'd expect him to be brought along slowly once returning, however the numbers of 16 rebounds, 1 steal and nearly 4 blocks are worth mentioning to this stage of the season. The Lakers have landed a true unicorn in Holmgren. | 10.5 DREB 1.3 STL 3.1 BLK +2.6 |