A Thunder player has been named the Western Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month for a second consecutive time. After guard Cason Wallace won the award for October/November, big man Chet Holmgren has earned the honor for December, the NBA announced today (via Twitter).
The Thunder, who entered December with a 20-1 record, have looked more mortal in recent weeks, winning nine of 13 games over the course of the month. However, they still posted the conference’s top defensive rating (106.2) in December, with Holmgren acting as the team’s anchor and rim protector.
Holmgren’s 2.0 blocks per game in December ranked second in the conference, while his 8.5 contested shots per game placed him seventh among Western players. Oklahoma City’s defense this past month was nearly six points per 100 possessions better when Holmgren was on the court (101.7) than when he wasn’t (107.6).
Clippers guard Kris Dunn and a trio of former Defensive Players of the Year – Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves), Draymond Green (Warriors), and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies) – were also nominated in the Western Conference, per the league (Twitter link).
An unlikely winner claimed the Eastern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month award for December, with Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart taking it home despite coming off the bench in 12 of his 13 games and averaging just 23.0 minutes per night during the past month.
Despite his limited role, Stewart ranked second in the East in blocks (2.2) and contested shots (9.4) per game, helping lead Detroit to a 9-4 record and the league’s third-best defensive rating (109.8) in December. The Pistons’ defensive rating with Stewart on the floor was 104.5, compared to 112.2 when he sat.
Knicks teammates OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, and Celtics guard Derrick White were the other nominees in the East. Notably, the Nets didn’t have a nominee despite posting the NBA’s best defensive rating (105.4) in December.
Every single voter who votes for an OKC player on that deep TEAM is paid off and corrupt. You cant be THAT deep a team and then give individual awards, OKC wins without Chet and SGA, they dont even need them, therefore, how are they valuable or the best?
SGA is 2nd in PPG but plays so few minutes that his point per minute average(.97) is close to what Wilt Had in his 50ppg season(1.04)
Let’s not act like SGA is unworthy of major accolades because he’s surrounded by a good team.
Did the 72-10 bulls deserve no individual awards because they were deep? How about the 73-9 warriors? Both had MVPs, coach of the years.
Not sure where my comment went? But the 73-9 warriors and 72-10 bulls should have their individual awards revoked based on your logic. MVPs, all NBA defense, 6th man, Coach of the year. Vacate those awards because of team depth and winning culture?!?