Chet Holmgren is keeping his lead in the race for the Defensive Player of the Year. While some may be skeptical about it, he’s actually proving his worth this time around. From impressive defensive performances to all-around games, he’s even making a worthy case to be an All-Star.

It’s a tough challenge. Victor Wembanyama is also a good defender in his own right, and the fact that the San Antonio Spurs have beaten Holmgren and the Thunder three times this season should be a talking point. But we’re bringing a much bigger factor to consider: Consistency.

Initially, there were many people who even doubted him about starting as the center for the Thunder. Considering that Isaiah Hartenstein is on an extended absence with his injury, Holmgren has been playing at the five for an extended period of time. While there’s been plenty of problems before, OKC is back on the winning track, and it seems they’re getting back on their groove.

At the center of that – literally – is Holmgren’s defensive presence. He’s one of the most proficient defenders in the NBA, and it cannot be denied that he continues to prove that while being consistent and staying healthy.

The Cheddar Blocker is on the Loose

Defense is Oklahoma City’s strongest suit. That formidable defense is what led them to an NBA title last year, which says a lot about their roster that didn’t need a lot of changes in the offseason. Holmgren, by far, has been the catalyst on that end. Sure, they have notable defenders in Alex Caruso, Lu Dort and even Cason Wallace — but nothing beats Holmgren’s presence in the paint.

In case you forgot, Holmgren even set the record for the most blocks in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He blocked a total of five shots, which proved to be pivotal in holding off the Indiana Pacers while rewarding Oklahoma City with its first title since moving to OKC.

In the last 20 games, Holmgren has averaged 17.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. If you’re not impressed, he’s logged at least one block in 18 of those 20 games, which is an insane feat for someone noted as “too thin” and “too lanky” to be in the NBA. With at least 33 blocks in his last 10, I’d say it’s a neat performance from the center.

It’s one of the reasons why he’s the best pick to win the DPOY. During that span, Holmgren had at least 10 games with three or more blocks. That’s a promising defensive standard as a frontrunner for the DPOY.

Chet vs Wemby for the DPOY

Let’s be frank, Wembanyama is on another level right now. He definitely deserves his flowers and is shining better than Holmgren. Considering that he’s the first scoring option for the Spurs (even though he wildly comes off the bench) and has a much lengthier frame, he’s bound to do better, as he’s already at an All-Star level.

However, here’s what matters for the DPOY — consistency. For starters, the NBA has imposed a limit on missed games, requiring a minimum of 65 games to be played to be considered eligible for end-of-season awards. Wemby was a frontrunner for the DPOY until he was limited to just 46 games last season. That’s not expected to change as he’s now missed 14 games, three away from being disqualified from the DPOY race.

Availability is the best ability. Holmgren proved that by being available for the Thunder’s whole playoff run last season and helping them win a championship. It’s a notable dedication to the game. If you can’t stay healthy to help your team win with your defensive impact, then you shouldn’t win the DPOY award. Holmgren, for what it’s worth, has been consistently available for OKC.

Holmgren is showing consistent defensive numbers, which is a good thing. The Thunder are winning, which is ideal for proving his worth for the DPOY. With him logging over 36 games as of the time of writing, Holmgren may indeed have what it takes to win the award.

Can Holmgren Win DPOY this Season?

If he continues to be a consistent player for the Thunder, Holmgren isn’t just winning the DPOY — he’s ending up in the All-NBA Team and even an All-Star this February. So far, the current trend for the Gonzaga product is promising, and you can expect him to bring more wins for OKC as they seek to repeat as champions.

That already speaks volumes for why Holmgren is a valuable pick to win DPOY. With -125 odds to win as of the time of writing, this award is definitely his for the taking.