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Ball Don't Lie

Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:00 am EDT

Engrave that hardware: Who is the NBA's Most Improved Player?

By J.E. Skeets

We continue engraving names into the NBA's end of the season hardware. Up next: the Most Improved Player. Cast your vote below, but first a quick look at the candidates:

LaMarcus Aldridge, Blazers. "He's improved his scoring average almost nine points. He's improved his rebounding by two and a half boards per game. He led the Blazers in scoring 24 times this season and in rebounds 28 times. ... He's improved every part of his game, period." -- Blazers Center Court

Andrew Bynum, Lakers. "We shouldn't let the unfortunate knee injury obscure the extraordinary improvement we’ve seen out of young Bynum this season. ... Though technically no longer eligible for the FG% crown, Bynum had led the league at 63.6%, up from 55.8% in 2006-07. ... his scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking nearly doubled this year." -- Empty The Bench

Mike Dunleavy Jr., Pacers. "With new scenery, a new coach and an offense that matches his skill set, Dunleavy is having the best season of his six-year NBA career. He entered the season with a career average of 12.2 points per game, but that has climbed to 18.7 this season." -- IndyStar

Monta Ellis, Warriors. Ellis won't win it back-to-back, but ... "With the notion of making him a point guard long since shelved, Ellis has become a sensational scorer. In February, he became just the ninth guard in league history to shoot 60 percent from the field for a month when he averaged 26 points on 60.2 percent shooting." -- Feigen

Hedo Turkoglu, Magic. "Turkoglu's 19.7 points per game is an improvement of more than 6 points over last year, and he already has exceeded his career-bests in total rebounds and assists. More impressively, he has emerged as the Magic's go-to guy ... ranking among the top-five fourth-quarter scoring leaders." -- Sporting News

Honorable mentions: Jose Calderon, Raptors; Anthony Carter, Nuggets; Rudy Gay, Grizzlies; Manu Ginobili, Spurs; Chris Kaman, Clippers; Chris Paul, Hornets; Rajon Rondo, Celtics.


Who should be the 2007-08 Most Improved Player?

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[Note: There is a poll within this post, RSS readers. Please visit BDL to cast your vote.]
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171 Comments

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  1. khandor
    1. Posted by khandor Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

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    Although his hard numbers might not show it directly ... in terms of PPG, RPG, MP, etc. ... the Most Improved Player in the NBA this season is Antawn Jamison ... who, right now, is both 'the best' and 'the most important' player for the Washington Wizards.
    Considering that the Wizards have played the entire season without Gilbert Arenas and a fair chunk of games without Caron Butler, yet remain afloat ... Jamison deserves the Lion's share of credit this year in D.C. for stepping up his own game to drive HIS team's push for another playoff berth.
  2. Dan
    2. Posted by Dan Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:03 pm EDT

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    I'm all alone in thinking it's down to Calderon or Gay then? Just me?
  3. Chris V
    3. Posted by Chris V Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Gotta go with turk . . . his whole career has been as a jump shooter who plays shaky d, all of a sudden he's the primary ball handler and a decent defender on a playoff contender (maybe)? I think he should get it.
  4. do_it_for_Dyess
    4. Posted by do_it_for_Dyess Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

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    Skeet tell me how Jason Maxiell can't even get an honorable mention for Most Improved Player?
  5. J.E. Skeets
    5. Posted by J.E. Skeets Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    Jamison, Maxiell, Ronnie Brewer, Salmons, Outlaw, Odom, Farmar, Granger, Dalembert ...
    I had to draw the line somewhere.
    Josh Boone.
  6. Anton
    6. Posted by Anton Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    #3 I agree. Hedo has become an important part of Orlando's success.
  7. Valdas
    7. Posted by Valdas Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    I think That Thabo Sefolosha deserves most improved!!!!
  8. Valdas
    8. Posted by Valdas Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    I think That Thabo Sefolosha deserves most improved!!!!
  9. www.dontpry.com
    9. Posted by www.dontpry.com Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    rajon rondo is the most improved player!!!!
  10. do_it_for_Dyess
    10. Posted by do_it_for_Dyess Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

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    Thanks Skeet. I mean how can you not put a man that EAT'S BABIES on your list for most improved?
  11. Sam D
    11. Posted by Sam D Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:02 pm EDT

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    this is just a thought..
    what about al jefferson?
  12. siem w
    12. Posted by siem w Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

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    it could go to many people, monta ellis shooting 60% from the field for an entire month scoring 26 points a game in the dreaded west.... but turk is playing amazing, an entirely different confidence that he plays with.
  13. Cougar J
    13. Posted by Cougar J Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    hold it I dont' even see DAVID WEST out there, best scorer on the best West team (no pun intended) amd am all-star I mean to not even mention him is shocking, because I thought he'd win it this year
  14. Nick M
    14. Posted by Nick M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    Look at my boy andrew bynum! Its a shame he went down with an injury he was just starting to grove. He was becoming the best center in the west. After games where amare just got schooled by him it was clear he was for real. Next year expect to see him as a 18 points 10 rebounbs+ player and he will win most improved next year.
  15. vonteg23
    15. Posted by vonteg23 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    Rudy gay all day he went from an average of 10pt last season to 20pts this season although his team isn't all that good he should still get it
    but..........if cp3 doesn't get mvp he should get most improved
  16. vonteg23
    16. Posted by vonteg23 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    My top pick is rudy gay because he averaged 10pts last year now he is up at 20pts thats impressive
    butt....... if cp3 doesn't win mvp he should win most improved or sumthing
    o yeah go kobe!!!!!!
  17. Nansense
    17. Posted by Nansense Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    Is it just me, or do I remember a rule that states Most Improved Player has to be an "up and coming" player? If that is the case, a veteran like Turk would certainly not win it.
  18. Ben Q. Rock
    18. Posted by Ben Q. Rock Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    Mikki Moore got votes for MIP last year at age 31, so there's no reason why Turk, who just turned 29, should be disqualified.
  19. icedaddycolts
    19. Posted by icedaddycolts Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    hedo is the most improved this year
  20. chrism
    20. Posted by chrism Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

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    nobody is gonna agree with me but kobe could win it considering the transformation he made from a "ME, ME, ME," guy to the team player, but he should win the MVP. Shaq could get it too though considering who he is now and who he was with the heat
  21. ASGisChillin
    21. Posted by ASGisChillin Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    it has to be hedo. bynum would get a vote if he had continued his early season play but he shouldnt even be in the running at this point having missed half the season. i know monta wont win it but he would be my 2nd pick. lamarcus is still another year away, too inconsistent right now. all the other guys the commentors have mentioned dont even get consideration. maxiell? come on. david west was already good and didnt make a big enough jump from good to great to get it. sefolosha, rondo? those guys improved but not even close to the most. calderon might have gotten some votes if tj ford was still out, right now his numbers are half of what they were. rudy gay could get a vote but his team is horrible.
  22. getachew t
    22. Posted by getachew t Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    what about the wiz. center, haywood?
    rebound from 6.5 to 7.8
    the top 10 in bloack
    point from 7 to 10.2
    number 9 in offenssive rebound
    FT from 54 to 72%, plus he is helping the injured wiz. to the playoff.
  23. Wade239
    23. Posted by Wade239 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:50 pm EDT

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    certainly Hedo Turkoglu is the most improved along with Rudy Gay but some big names that could be included are as follows:
    1. Amare Stoudmare
    jumped from 20 PPG to 25 PPG and possibly an MVP candidate
    If you put the first month of the season aside he is averaging close to 29 PPG
    2. Chris Paul
    Possibly the top 5 best point gaurds I have ever seen
    and jumped from 17.5/8.9 PPG/Assist
    to
    21.2/11.5 PPG/Assist
  24. MS
    24. Posted by MS Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:26 pm EDT

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    Rudy Gay is not a favorite option?... come on if you wanna create threads like this, present it with some sort of accuracy.
  25. LAPG T
    25. Posted by LAPG T Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    Im a True laker fan, If Bynum wouldve stayed healthy, he wouldve won this award, but we also wouldnt have Pau either so i guess its a blessing in disguise. I would give it to Hedo, hes ballin right now, but i cant believe CP3 isnt mentioned, must be because hes in the MVP race, but still, hes by far the most improved.

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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