SACRAMENTO – In 2023, Brook Lopez could be called an NBA veteran, an All-Star or an NBA champion, and now the Milwaukee Bucks center is looking to add another title to his impressive resume. He’s one of the top contenders to win Defensive Player of the Year this season, and he wants it.
The Fresno native is third in the NBA in blocks at 2.5 per game and has a 107.1 defensive rating, tying Lopez for 10th in the league.
Lopez will win the award
On Sideline Sources’ Minutes With Mark podcast, Lopez admitted he wants to win Defensive Player of the Year. When asked if he wants to win the award, he answered directly.
“Yes. Definitely,” Lopez told Sideline Sources. teammates who have my back and can defend. So I’m proud to play for the best defensive team in the league.”
Among Lopez’s teammates is superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in 2020. Then you have guard Jrue Holiday, who made the All-Defensive team four times in his career. Those two and Lopez are the backbone of the Bucks defense.
If Lopez wins Defensive Player of the Year this season, he and Antetokounmpo will become the first teammates in NBA history to each win the award. As the season draws to a close, this possibility is getting closer and closer to reality.
The Bucks have been the best team in the NBA all year. After back-to-back wins against the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, they are the first to reach 50 wins this season. Next, Lopez and his team will head home to face the Indiana Pacers in hopes of extending their streak to three.