San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has rejected the idea that his biggest personal rival in the NBA is Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren.
He may want to rethink that stance if Holmgren claims Defensive Player of the Year honors over him.
ESPN's Kevin Pelton wrote Monday that Holmgren is the favorite to win the award as the NBA's top defensive player at season's end, for his role as the anchor of the 30-6 Thunder's top-ranked defense.
MORE: Spurs coach Mitch Johnson reveals encouraging update on Victor Wembanyama
The Thunder have allowed 103.1 points per 100 possessions when Holmgren is on the floor, the best mark for any individual player in the league.
However, Wembanyama isn't too far behind. In his third NBA season, Wembanyama has a career-best 105 defensive rating, and the Spurs are second in the Western Conference at 25-10 -- with three wins over the Thunder to date.
But Wembanyama has already missed 14 games this season, largely due to a calf strain. If he misses four more games, he will not be eligible for All-NBA selection or any other postseason awards -- like Defensive Player of the Year.
In contrast, Holmgren has missed only five of the Thunder's 36 games, making him possibly the "safest choice" to win Defensive Player of the Year for the first time.
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