It's no secret that Phoenix Suns forward Michal Bridges is one of the best defenders in the NBA, but betting odds currently have the third-best chance of stealing the league's Defensive Player of the Year title.
FanDuel Sportsbook places the odds of +135 behind Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart and Bridge +390 on Miami Heat big man Bam Adabio +270.
According to NBA.com, the Suns have the second-best defensive rating in the NBA at 106.6, behind the Golden State Warriors' mark of 106.1.
Bridge is usually assigned the opposing team's best player on a nightly basis and is currently third on the team in the Steels with 1.2 per game.
The do-it-all forward is ranked first in the league for 2,736 minutes and second for defensive distance per game with 1.3 miles.
He has played in every single game for the Phoenix since he was drafted in 2018 with five games remaining this season.
He currently sits ahead of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
Gobert has won three of the last four awards, while Antetokounmpo has won once.
The award has not been given to any Phoenix player since birth in the 1982–83 season.