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It appears Reed has found his confidence. The FVV injury provided an opportunity, and he's making the most of it.

Who are the other candidates?

Josh Giddey and Jalen Duren have both been pleasant surprises. Both will make their 1st all star team and frontrunners for mip.

Top3 pick in his 2nd year being 'most improved player' doesn't seem right. He looks great though and people criticized him for a year, but this is not what this award should be about.

Avdija so far is an easy pick, he was 17-7-4 type of a player in his 5th or 6th year, and now it looks like he's made a serious leap. And this type of improvement should be awarded with MIP, obviously if he maintains what he's been showing so far since the season's beginning.

Have to watch him.
Until now i have Rollins of Milwaukee, Reaves of Lakers and Duren of Pistons.

I've consistently been one who doesn't believe 2nd year players should be in the running for MIP, and even more so, not lottery pick 2nd year players

He looks great but I both agree that 2nd year players should probably not be in consideration and think that it’s really more a factor of Fred’s injury. It was Reed’s functional strength on D and the Rockets being so good and deep last year that kept him out. He probably could have done ~ this last year (look at his numbers in starts) but didn’t measure up to Ime’s specific defensive demands and probably still doesn’t.

But Fred forced Ime’s hand, he adapted and is now allowing Reed’s particular brand of defence (disruption/playmaking instead of reliable switch ability) although in fairness their overall length helps keep teams from just targeting him, and he has gotten stronger and better able to play through contact at either end.

But the offensive ability and stock stacking were always there, he just wasn’t attuned to getting spotty floor-time and it shook his confidence some. But behind the scenes the Rockets were even more in love with him than when he was drafted, he was putting on shows in practice, SL, G-League and in his few starts and they were telling people they saw star potential and that he had the highest offensive upside on the team. And it wasn’t just smoke; it was repeatedly confirmed that he was off the table in KD talks or any other. So imo this is less improvement, more just a change of circumstances.

og15 wrote:I've consistently been one who doesn't believe 2nd year players should be in the running for MIP, and even more so, not lottery pick 2nd year players

Yeah, improving after the rookie year is expected for these players who come in at 19/20 years old. They are just learning the NBA game.


Similarly, I wish they bring back the Comeback player award. Was always a feel good story.

Josh Giddey 2024-25 post-all-star-break:
21.2 points, .500 field, .457 threes, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists

Josh Giddey 2025-26:
21.4 points, .463 field, .385 threes, 9.6 rebounds, 9.3 assists

As the most unbiased fan, Jalen Duren is running away with the award

He won’t win MIP because he was a #3 pick who didn’t get playing time on a stacked team.
He’s getting playing time now and showing why he was a #3 pick.

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I don't like sophomores getting MIP award unless their progress is otherwordly- that said, Reed is doing good, he can become Redick 2.0 later down the line.

Wallace_Wallace wrote:As the most unbiased fan, Jalen Duren is running away with the award

At the rate Daniss Jenkins is progressing, I'd argue that Duren isn't even the most improved Piston.

Alex Sarr.

Dude still can't play defense worth a damn - which is why he continues to come off the bench. He needs a medical procedure to lengthen his arms.