Who Has the Most NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards?
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, or DPOY, is an annual NBA award given to the best defensive player of the regular season. The award was first established in the 1983–84 NBA season and has been given out every year since then, with the exception of the 1998–99 season due to the NBA lockout.
The award has been given out to a wide variety of players over the years, from guards to forwards to centers. From Hall of Famers to undrafted players, all have had a chance to win the prestigious award. But who has won it the most times? Let’s take a look at the players who have won the most NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
Dikembe Mutombo – 4x Winner
The first player on this list is Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo. Mutombo is the only player to have won the award four times, with three of those coming consecutively from 1995 to 1997. Mutombo was a dominant defensive center in the NBA and was known for his ability to block shots and intimidate opponents.
He was a perennial All-Star and was named to the All-Defensive First Team on eight separate occasions. His four NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards speak volumes to his impact on the NBA and he is easily one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
Ben Wallace – 4x Winner
The second player on this list is also a Hall of Famer, Ben Wallace. Wallace won the award four times, with three of those coming consecutively from 2002 to 2004. Wallace was a dominant defensive center in the NBA and was known for his ability to block shots and rebound.
He was a four-time All-Star and was named to the All-Defensive First Team on five separate occasions. His four NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards speak volumes to his impact on the NBA and he is easily one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
Kawhi Leonard – 3x Winner
The third player on this list is Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has won the award three times, with two of those coming consecutively from 2015 to 2016. Leonard is a two-time NBA champion and was named to the All-Defensive First Team on four separate occasions.
He is widely considered to be one of the best two-way players in the NBA and his three NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards speak volumes to his impact on the game.
Gary Payton – 2x Winner
The fourth player on this list is Hall of Famer Gary Payton. Payton won the award two times, with both of those coming consecutively from 1995 to 1996. Payton was a perennial All-Star and was named to the All-Defensive First Team on nine separate occasions.
He is widely considered to be one of the best point guards of all time and his two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards speak volumes to his impact on the game.
Dwight Howard – 3x Winner
The fifth player on this list is Dwight Howard. Howard has won the award three times, with two of those coming consecutively from 2009 to 2010. Howard is an eight-time All-Star and was named to the All-Defensive First Team on five separate occasions.
He is widely considered to be one of the best defensive centers of all time and his three NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards speak volumes to his impact on the game.
Alonzo Mourning – 2x Winner
The sixth player on this list is Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning. Mourning won the award two times, with both of those coming consecutively from 1999 to 2000. Mourning was a perennial All-Star and was named to the All-Defensive First Team on six separate occasions.
He is widely considered to be one of the best defensive centers of all time and his two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards speak volumes to his impact on the game.
Dennis Rodman – 2x Winner
The seventh player on this list is Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman. Rodman won the award two times, with both of those coming consecutively from 1990 to 1991. Rodman was a perennial All-Star and was named to the All-Defensive First Team on seven separate occasions.
He is widely considered to be one of the best defensive forwards of all time and his two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards speak volumes to his impact on the game.
Other Winners
In addition to the players listed above, here is a list of other players who have won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award:
- Hakeem Olajuwon – 2x Winner
- Ron Artest – 1x Winner
- Draymond Green – 1x Winner
- David Robinson – 1x Winner
- Joakim Noah – 1x Winner
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 1x Winner
- Michael Jordan – 1x Winner
- Dennis Johnson – 1x Winner
- Kevin Garnett – 1x Winner
- Mark Eaton – 1x Winner
- Maurice Cheeks – 1x Winner
- Kris Dunn – 1x Winner
Conclusion
As we can see from the list above, Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace are the only players to have won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times. Kawhi Leonard is the only active player to have won the award three times and Gary Payton and Dwight Howard are the only other players to have won it multiple times.
The award has been given out to a wide variety of players over the years and it is a testament to their skill and impact on the game. It is an honor to be considered for the award, let alone win it, and these players have set the standard for all future defensive players.
FAQs
Who has won the most NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards?
Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace are the only players to have won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times.
Who is the only active player to have won the award three times?
Kawhi Leonard is the only active player to have won the award three times.
Who are the only other players to have won the award multiple times?
Gary Payton and Dwight Howard are the only other players to have won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award multiple times.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award
- nba.com/history/awards/dpoy