Who will win most improved player

[Ice Man]

Matas Buzelis is a strong candidate. He's a gifted athlete with both a handle and a shot, he's been improving rapidly, and the Bulls will feature him in the offense, after breaking him in slowly last season.

Matas scored 9 ppg last season. He's going to double that this year (if not more), given both his improvement and much greater playing time -- and doing so will surely put him in MIP contention.

[UcanUwill]

Matas Buzelis is a strong candidate. He's a gifted athlete with both a handle and a shot, he's been improving rapidly, and the Bulls will feature him in the offense, after breaking him in slowly last season.

Matas scored 9 ppg last season. He's going to double that this year (if not more), given both his improvement and much greater playing time -- and doing so will surely put him in MIP contention.

I really hope you are right, hope he is next Lithuanian star, he said his goal is to win MIP this season. My concern is voters, a lot of them do not like voting second year player for MIP, like their improvement does not count or smth...

[Chokic]

Matas Buzelis is a strong candidate. He's a gifted athlete with both a handle and a shot, he's been improving rapidly, and the Bulls will feature him in the offense, after breaking him in slowly last season.

Matas scored 9 ppg last season. He's going to double that this year (if not more), given both his improvement and much greater playing time -- and doing so will surely put him in MIP contention.

This was my pick.

[Ice Man]

My concern is voters, a lot of them do not like voting second year player for MIP, like their improvement does not count or smth...

Well, in fairness, it's pretty easy for 2nd year players to score a lot more points than they did as rookies, partially because they are getting better, but even more because if they become starters they get a lot more minutes.

[UcanUwill]

My concern is voters, a lot of them do not like voting second year player for MIP, like their improvement does not count or smth...

Well, in fairness, it's pretty easy for 2nd year players to score a lot more points than they did as rookies, partially because they are getting better, but even more because if they become starters they get a lot more minutes.

It depends, some tanking teams ride rookies more than anything, some busts like Morrison, Okafor, MCW, FLynn, Smith Jr. etc. had best empty stats as rookies, but after that teams just give up on the idea and these players return to reality. Putting basic stats is not that hard in the NBA if you get minutes and touches, hopefully Buzelis is not on that bust trajectory, but complete opposite and his productions just gets better and better each year.

But thats what Skeets from NoDunks say regarding topic on MIP being second year players, he hates it. ''They suppose to improve''. Well ok, I agree they suppose to improve, but it doesn't mean their improvement doesn't count now. I get in spirit MIP award is more for late bloom types probably, but often, it is the young guys that improve the most, so theres that.

[MMyhre]

Buzelis, Sarr, Ware, Amen T, Mathurin, Jalen Johnson, Jabari Smith Jr, Andrew Nembhard, Nikola Jovic, Ryan Rollins, Holmgren, Brice Sensabaugh, Sharpe, Avidja, Camara, Taylor Hendricks, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Duren, Christian Braun, Stephon Castle, Anthony Black, Johnny Juzang, Jared Butler, Risacher, JaKobe Walter, Cody Williams.

These are the trending upwards players I have identified, either through statistical outliers or hot streaks on the end of last year, natural growth through being young and getting an NBA season under their belt, less injuries or more opportunity or a combination of all these factors and more.
I am very certain one of these players will win the award, unless someone like... Tre Mann or Jaylen Wells or some random guy just decides they are Stephen Curry after the season starts.

I see the strongest signals from:
Buzelis, Sarr, Ware, Amen T, Jalen Johnson, Jabari Smith Jr, Christian Braun. I would like to see more of guys like Nembhard, Holmgren, Jovic, Hendricks and Mathurin... I think Mathurin for example will score a lot more, but compared to someone like Jalen Johnson or Holmgren he is very one dimensional in terms of impact, so I don't think he is a favorite with such a strong field. Braun is incredible but it might be hard to get enough stats for him in a talented Nuggets offense. With more games I might come back to this post and eliminate a few players. I don't think I will need to add someone, but who knows.

[tcheco]

Salaun will improve from 5/4 ppg to 15/8 and take it home tripling his points and doubling the rebounds lol

jk, could see Isaiah Jackson or Huff if one of them get more minutes this season. Nembhard would need to get 19/9 statline to be considered i think

[Curmudgeon]

There are two different issues here:
1. Who will be the most improved player?
2. Who will win most improved player?

The two issues may have little or nothing to do with one another.

And do you base it on skill improvement or statistical improvement? Say a player is getting 5Mpg on one team, moves to a new team, and gets 25 mpg, and his stats dramatically improve. He's the same player but in a different environment. But if a guy's minutes stay the same and he's on the same team, but his numbers go up significantly-- and as a result the team wins more games--that's real improvement.

[bisme37]

I'm not sure I even knew who Josh Minott was a few months ago but he's been a revelation for the Celtics.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

The Cavs were 1/12 shooting when Josh Minott was the primary defender, per NBA tracking. Evan Mobley shot 0/6 FG & 0/3 3FG when guarded by Josh Minott.

[dhsilv2]

I am looking to gamble on most improved player. Who do you will be most improved player this year?

Thanks

Steph Curry. Empty your 401k and go all in!

[Curmudgeon]

Minott has been a revelation, but who knows how good he was sitting on the bench in Minnesota? If there is an award for breakout player, he would definitely be a candidate. Great defender.

[UcanUwill]

I'm not sure I even knew who Josh Minott was a few months ago but he's been a revelation for the Celtics.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

The Cavs were 1/12 shooting when Josh Minott was the primary defender, per NBA tracking. Evan Mobley shot 0/6 FG & 0/3 3FG when guarded by Josh Minott.

Spoiler:

I knew who he was, but he was one of those guys, where when I heard English speaker pronounce his name, I was like - damn, I pronounced his name in my head wrong for years. This year must have been first time I ever heard anyone say his name I think

[Big nick]

Okc thunders Ajay Mitchell.

[Big nick]

Okc thunders Ajay Mitchell.

[meekrab]

I'm not sure I even knew who Josh Minott was a few months ago but he's been a revelation for the Celtics.
The Cavs were 1/12 shooting when Josh Minott was the primary defender, per NBA tracking. Evan Mobley shot 0/6 FG & 0/3 3FG when guarded by Josh Minott.

I saw this box score and thought "The Cavs' bigs just got bodied by two 2nd round picks?"

[Lalouie]

might be wemby

he's totally changed his game. he's dropped his 3pt apg and has become a dominant inside player. he's strong - i dont see anyone bumping him off balance.

it's not like this is out of the blue either. he's a very scrutinized player who has been methodical about fixing his game - so there have been expectations to be met, not just some shmoe becoming average to good

wemby has gone from great to GREAT. tell me that ain't harder

[mediocrityrules]

Ryan Rollins looking like a strong candidate

[JustBuzzin]

Still early tbh

Lauri Markannen?

[MoneyTalks41890]

IMO top draft picks continuing to develop isn’t a good way to award MIP. I also am traditionally opposed to 2nd and 3rd year guys.

But I think Ajay Mitchell is starting to build a good case as a 2nd rounder now contributing 18 ppg to the best team in the league.

Doubt he gets it ultimately for a few reasons, but he deserve a shout.

[Larry Ellison]

I am looking to gamble on most improved player. Who do you will be most improved player this year?

Thanks

Steph Curry. Empty your 401k and go all in!

Can't improve on perfection!