Defensive Player of the Year, generally speaking, is won by centers.
A center has won the award three of the last five years. In this case, though, it’s been the same center: Rudy Gobert. Six of the last 10 winners have played the center position as well. The exceptions in the last decade have been forwards Kawhi Leonard (twice), Draymond Green and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
There hasn’t been a contested race for DPOY in recent seasons. The winner has commanded the majority of the vote and the odds tell the story of Gobert earning the honor for the fourth time in five seasons and second straight season despite the step back the Jazz have taken as a team defensively this year.