Mikal Bridges: ‘Crazy’ how many times bigs have won Defensive Player of the Year over guards – Yahoo Sports

Phoenix Suns guard Mikal Bridges made his case during the 2021-22 NBA campaign as to why hes more than deserving of winning this seasons Defensive Player of the Year award.

But its going to take voters consisting of sportswriters and broadcasters looking beyond traditional defensive stats that often favor a centers candidacy.

Bridges, in an exclusive interview with Yahoo Sports, wants voters to dig deeper.

I would never discredit anybody, and obviously bigs have been winning that award for a while and they do a hell of a job, but the amount of times a big has won over a guard is just crazy, Bridges told Yahoo Sports. I think people take it for granted how tough it is to guard the top perimeter players in this league and not be able to really touch them because theyre going to get the foul call. I feel like as a defender on the perimeter, you just get disrespected. Im not even talking about me personally, but I dont understand how guards in general dont win it. These guards are shooting off ball screens, they get isos with the offense spaced out and a lot of shooters on the court. Youve got to guard these matchups one-on-one, and I think we just get taken for granted.

Bridges, 25, has traveled the most distance on defense of anyone this season, hes seventh in defensive win-shares (3.7) which has contributed to the Suns 106.7 defensive rating that trails only the Boston Celtics (106.2), and hes in the 99th percentile of the most difficult defensive matchups assigned.

Hes always available and holds the longest active streak of 307 consecutive games played.

Furthermore, there are no slow nights for the fourth-year veteran. He goes from guarding Luka Doncic, to Ja Morant, to LeBron James, to Stephen Curry, to Damian Lillard to Donovan Mitchell on a nightly basis. His willingness to handle the toughest assignment is a critical component to why the Suns possess the leagues best record at 63-17.

Golden State Warriors defensive star Draymond Green said Bridges would be his choice for DPOY.

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That was so dope to hear that from Draymond, Bridges said of Green. Obviously with everything he does on the court, he understands how tough it is to guard a dude on ball. I just wish the voters would actually watch the games. But I can only control what I can control.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid are among those in contention for DPOY, but Bridges has better betting odds than both to win the award.

Its been 26 years since a guard was awarded the hardware. Hall of Famer Gary Payton was the last guard to receive it in 1996.

Im telling you, again, Ill never discredit none of the bigs, but they dont have the matchups we have to face, Bridges told Yahoo Sports. There are not as many talented bigs in the league as there are talented wing players and guards. Guarding one through four is tough. If you want to do the math, look up how many skilled players are one through four, and then how many skilled players are at the five. Obviously, you have a lot of talented fives, but out of all 30 teams, not every big on the team is very skilled. Thats just how I look at it.

But like I said, I never discredit what centers do because being an anchor on your team and pick-and-roll defense, being on the weak side, thats a part of the game as well. I understand why they get the love. But I just feel like when you really look at it, youve got to start looking at the guards and how being on that perimeter guarding one through four is tough.

Bridges has the most usage matchups this season, meaning his defense causes a ballhandler to terminate the possession via a field-goal attempt, free-throw attempt or turnover. He has 69 more of these than the next closest player, an indication that Bridges is guarding the players who shoot the most or forcing a player to do something he doesnt want to do.

Bridges holds those matchups to 91.8 points per 100 possessions and to an effective field-goal percentage of 48.4%.

The 6-foot-6 guard with a 7-foot-1 wingspan believes hes done enough to warrant breaking that guard-winning defensive drought.

For sure, Bridges told Yahoo Sports. Im not saying that there are not other really good defenders in this league. But for sure I think I should win. Im out there every night looking to match up with the best and make it a tough on guys. I pride myself on being available every single time. It is about team defense because I know Ive got four other guys with me, but when I guard a guy, I make it tough on them.

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Mikal Bridges: 'Crazy' how many times bigs have won Defensive Player of the Year over guards - Yahoo Sports