Big men usually dominate Defensive Player of the Year discussions and often end up winning the award. Non-bigs don’t take home the honor as frequently, though Marcus Smart’s win in 2022 stands as a recent example.
With Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, Chet Holmgren, and Bam Adebayo roaming on defense, the award once again looks tilted toward big men. That makes it fair to wonder if a non-big can realistically enter the conversation this year.
Even so, Dwyane Wade isn’t concerned with that trend. The former Miami Heat superstar is backing a non-big, believing Boston Celtics guard Derrick White deserves to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Per Heavy Sports:Heavy Sports:
“I’m tired of the bigs hogging all the Defensive Player of the Year love,” Wade said. “Can we give it to the guards a little bit? I got Derrick White for Defensive Player of the Year.”
