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I'm sorry if this topic has been touched before but I really think Jose has a good case for this award this year.

Most of us Raptor fans already knew Jose had it in him. It was just a matter of more playing time.

But to the eyes of many outside of Toronto, he's getting alot of accolades for his play since taking over for Ford.

Candidates for most improved player this year include....

Rudy Gay
Jose Calderon
Hedo Turkoglu
Tyson Chandler
Andrew Bynum
Brandon Roy

I know that I left out a few more but I think I have most of them.

Unless something drastic happens, Kaman has it pretty much locked up.

Rudy Gay - leader
Jose Calderon - close 2nd
Hedo Turkoglu - not in the same league as Gay, Roy, and Calderon
Tyson Chandler - close enough to last years numbers
Andrew Bynum - 8 week injury really takes him out
Brandon Roy - was really good last year too, more of an MVP candidate than MIP imo.

Before going down with the injury, I would've said Andrew Bynum. Even now, I'd think Rudy Gay has a better chance of getting it.

As much as we like Calderon, he's not the type of player that will receive many accolades or awards.

P.S. I totally forgot about Kaman... he's playing at a superstar level, after regressing the year before.

Totally forgot about Chris Kaman. He definitely has a case too... especially carring the load of an absent Elton Brand.

Does record come into consideration for M.I.P????

Don't forget Salmons too

Yes. Cave-man is the most improved player by numbers. Chris kaman is having a real good season

I think Salmons will drift back into the background with the return of KMartin, Artest & Bibby. He's been in somewhat of a funk since there return.

I'd like to exclude last year's rookies from the group. When It comes to rookies thrusted into a starting spot from the get-go (Aldridge, Roy to an extent) . It's guaranteed they'll improve somewhat the following year (maybe with the exception of Bargnani!).

I know i would've said Bynum if it wasn't for the injury. But it's Kaman's season this year the man is nearly averaging a double-double and isn't even getting Allstar recognition

Calderon might deserve it now, but he'll lose any chance at getting the award as soon as TJ comes back. Both of our PG's are going to look like stars to the league if playing 35+ minutes... unfortunately, their stats will not look as good as they are as long as they are sharing the position.

Damn! Had no idea that Gheorghe Muresan won it in the past! Check the list of past MIPs.

http://www.nba.com/history/awards_mostimproved.html

2006-07 - Monta Ellis, Golden State
2005-06 - Boris Diaw, Phoenix
2004-05 - Bobby Simmons, Los Angeles Clippers
2003-04 - Zach Randolph, Portland
2002-03 - Gilbert Arenas, Golden State
2001-02 - Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana
2000-01 - Tracy McGrady, Orlando
1999-00 - Jalen Rose, Indiana
1998-99 - Darrell Armstrong, Orlando
1997-98 - Alan Henderson, Atlanta
1996-97 - Isaac Austin, Miami
1995-96 - Gheorghe Muresan, Washington
1994-95 - Dana Barros, Philadelphia
1993-94 - Don MacLean, Washington
1992-93 - Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Denver
1991-92 - Pervis Ellison, Washington
1990-91 - Scott Skiles, Orlando
1989-90 - Rony Seikaly, Miami
1988-89 - Kevin Johnson, Phoenix
1987-88 - Kevin Duckworth, Portland
1986-87 - Dale Ellis, Seattle
1985-86 - Alvin Robertson, San Antonio

I think Udrih has made more substantial improvements than Calderon.

I think it goes.

1. Kaman
2. Bynum
3. Udrih

I think Kaman's play of 2 seasons ago might make voters not vote for him and instead say he had a bad season last year, as opposed to marked improvement.

I am still leaning towards Hedo. Beno won't win it because Bibby is back in the starting line-up. If Beno had gotten to start all year, he could be considered a viable candidate.

user name wrote:I think Kaman's play of 2 seasons ago might make voters not vote for him and instead say he had a bad season last year, as opposed to marked improvement.

I am still leaning towards Hedo. Beno won't win it because Bibby is back in the starting line-up. If Beno had gotten to start all year, he could be considered a viable candidate.

Most improved for Turkoglu? I don't think so, not if the award means anything. Turkey is having a career year after a number on the scrapheap. I don't think think this is the Fluke Year Award. You can argue that he's having a borderline all-star season, but his career progression has not been linear. And MIP should, at the very least, reward linear improvement of some kind.

Calderon should win it he's playing out of his mind.

RapsFuturePG#26 wrote:I know i would've said Bynum if it wasn't for the injury. But it's Kaman's season this year the man is nearly averaging a double-double and isn't even getting Allstar recognition

nearly? hes averaging 17 points and 14 rebounds to go along with 3 blocks. hes been a beast this season.

jose's the same as last year, only difference is he's getting double the time.

I hope Hosay get's it. The Raptors need some more recognition. But this will only make it harder for the Raptors to re-sign him.

I think team record is a factor...

If you look at last season Kevin Martin made a huge leap of improvement scoring wise, just like how Rudy Gay is doing this year yet Monta Ellis wins it.

Yes Monta Ellis went from 6 pts a game to 16 pts last year
whereas Kevin Martin went from 10 pts to 20 pts.

Both improve by 10 pts but you have to look at minutes played too...Ellis nearly double his minutes while Martin's margin was smaller.

It most likely went to Ellis because GS was in the spotlight & a playoff team.

Anyways, you can throw a blanket over a bunch of players this year for the award. I like Hedo's chances provided the Magic keep on winning. You can throw in Dwight Howard's name onto the list too!