RealGM

This year, there are a number of worthy candidates who have stepped up their respective games and become household names in the process. Channing Frye has played at a very high level after his disappointing stint in Portland and Kevin Durant has somehow managed to expand his game even further, willing the Thunder into the playoff picture a few seasons too early. When talking about the most improved player this year, however, two names should be included in the discussion: Houston’s Carl Landry and Memphis’ Marc Gasol.

Carl Landry has done an amazing job of playing the role of a potent offensive force off the bench with Yao Ming hurt and Tracy McGrady in purgatory. He is third in the League in points scored in the fourth quarter (just over six points) bested only by Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. His efficient scoring has been a major factor behind the continued success of the young Rockets team, with Landry’s field goal percentage of .552 good for ninth in the League and his true shooting percentage of .625 good for seventh.

The somewhat dimunutive forward (listed as 6′9”) has become the spark plug off the bench for the curiously successful and star-less Houston Rockets. Playing in limited minutes (27.2 minutes per game), Landry has taken on the role of not only providing an offensive boost for his team but is also staking his claim on the defensive end of the court as well. His season averages of 16.4 points on .551/.853 percent shooting, 0.0 threes, 5.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.7 turnovers (bold denotes career highs). Just imagine if he was seeing over 35 minutes per night. Or, just look at his per-36 minute averages, which come out to 21.4 points and 7.1 rebounds.