Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert are the favorites to win the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year award, but Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green doesn't want the voters to forget about one player who is equally or more deserving.

Phoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges.

In the latest episode of his show, Green said Bridges deserves to win the award with the way he is able to impact team defense more than just being an individual defender. The Warriors forward and former DPOY winner also noted how he has seen the Suns swingman make life hard for the top scorers in the NBA.

“Mikal Bridges has to be in the conversation [for Defensive Player of the Year], probably he's the winner with the way he's guarding,” Green said. “I see him guard the hell out of some guys. What I like about Mikal Bridges is he's a good defender–he's good on the ball, he's good off the ball, he can block shots weak side, he can play the passing lanes, he's in the right spot, he's always in the help. He's a good defender.

“There are some defenders that compromises your defense in order to be good defenders, Mikal Bridges don't compromise your defense to be a good defender.”

The Suns have the second-best defense in the NBA, and there is no doubt that Mikal Bridges is a big reason for that. However, the 25-year-old is often overlooked and underappreciated because Phoenix is a great defensive team overall with the likes of Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder being solid defenders. There is also Devin Booker improving on that end tremendously.

However, as Draymond Green highlighted, Bridges makes life hard for the opponent's best player. He is often tasked with guarding the top scorer, and he often sits when that player checks out as well. That speaks volumes on how the Suns rely on the rising star to limit the threat on their defense.

As mentioned, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert are more than likely to fight for the DPOY honor. Nonetheless, Bridges also deserve to be in equal footing with the two given how tremendous he has been defensively for one of the best teams in the NBA.