Angel Reese's defensive dominance makes her the clear DPOY pick
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese has transformed her team's defense, with the best defensive rating differential in the WNBA at -15.1. Her impact is visible both in the eye test and advanced analytics, making her the deserving choice for Defensive Player of the Year.
The article's author, Noa Dalzell, writes for Breakaway, SB Nation's women's sports vertical, and covers the Celtics for CelticsBlog. She notes that DPOY voting is consistently her most difficult ballot decision because defenders across the league play vastly different roles, making direct comparisons between guards and post players challenging. She also weighs team defense heavily, and Reese's impact on Atlanta's overall defensive performance helped sway her final choice.
Reese's defensive metrics place her among elite company. Her defensive VPM of +1.81 ranks fourth league-wide, trailing only established stars like A'ja Wilson, Gabby Williams, and Aliyah Boston. Her 1.8 steals per game puts her third overall, with two Atlanta teammates ahead of her, suggesting the Dream have built a formidable defensive unit around Reese's anchoring presence.
Recognition of Reese as a top defensive player could shift how fans and analysts evaluate defensive contributions in the WNBA, particularly for forwards who disrupt opponents through positioning and activity rather than traditional rim protection. Her candidacy may also raise the Atlanta Dream's national profile, potentially drawing more viewership and engagement with the team. Younger players watching could see defensive excellence as a viable path to individual recognition, which may influence how the league's next generation approaches that end of the floor.