"Offence sells tickets but defence wins championships," Alabama coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant once said.

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Award, established in the 1982โ€“83 season, celebrates the league's elite defenders.

This prestigious accolade is determined by a panel of 124 sportswriters and broadcasters from the U.S. and Canada, who vote for the top three defensive players. The voting system allocates five points for a first-place vote, three for second place, and one for third. The player with the highest total points is crowned the Defensive Player of the Year, irrespective of the number of first-place votes.

Historically, the award has honoured players known for their defensive prowess, particularly those excelling in rebounding and shot-blocking. While the early winners were often perimeter players, the trend has shifted towards dominant big men. Remarkably, Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace, and recently Rudy Gobert each have secured the award four times, showcasing their prolific defensive consistency and impact. Dwight Howard stands out as the only player to have won the award in three consecutive seasons.

Despite the dominance of big men, eight perimeter players have also received the award, with Sidney Moncrief, Alvin Robertson, Michael Cooper, Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Ron Artest, Kawhi Leonard, and Marcus Smart having all been rewarded for their efforts clamping opponents on the perimeter.

The award has also celebrated multi-faceted players who excelled offensively, such as Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Kevin Garnett, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, all of whom have won both the DPOY and the NBA MVP awards. Jordan and Olajuwon uniquely achieved both honours in the same season, with Olajuwon also securing the NBA Finals MVP and the championship that year in an astonishingly rare feat.

The DPOY award now carries the name of Olajuwon, honouring his legacy. As of the 2023-24 season, new eligibility criteria require players to participate in at least 65 games, ensuring the award goes to those who consistently demonstrate their defensive prowess throughout the season.

Without further ado, lets take a look at each DPOY winner in NBA history:

  • 2023-24 โ€” Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
  • 2022-23 โ€” Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
  • 2021-22 โ€” Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
  • 2020-21 โ€” Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
  • 2019-20 โ€” Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
  • 2018-19 โ€” Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
  • 2017-18 โ€” Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
  • 2016-17 โ€” Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
  • 2015-16 โ€” Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
  • 2014-15 โ€” Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
  • 2013-14 โ€” Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
  • 2012-13 โ€” Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
  • 2011-12 โ€” Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks
  • 2010-11 โ€” Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
  • 2009-10 โ€” Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
  • 2008-09 โ€” Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
  • 2007-08 โ€” Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
  • 2006-07 โ€” Marcus Camby, Denver Nuggets
  • 2005-06 โ€” Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
  • 2004-05 โ€” Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
  • 2003-04 โ€” Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers
  • 2002-03 โ€” Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
  • 2001-02 โ€” Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
  • 2000-01 โ€” Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia 76ers
  • 1999-00 โ€” Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat
  • 1998-99 โ€” Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat
  • 1997-98 โ€” Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks
  • 1996-97 โ€” Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks
  • 1995-96 โ€” Gary Payton, Seattle SuperSonics
  • 1994-95 โ€” Dikembe Mutombo, Denver Nuggets
  • 1993-94 โ€” Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  • 1992-93 โ€” Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  • 1991-92 โ€” David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
  • 1990-91 โ€” Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons
  • 1989-90 โ€” Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons
  • 1988-89 โ€” Mark Eaton, Utah Jazz
  • 1987-88 โ€” Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
  • 1986-87 โ€” Michael Cooper, Los Angeles Lakers
  • 1985-86 โ€” Alvin Robertson, San Antonio Spurs
  • 1984-85 โ€” Mark Eaton, Utah Jazz
  • 1983-84 โ€” Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks
  • 1982-83 โ€” Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks