There was some level of intrigue at the NBA Awards, but one of those intriguing notes did not involve Victor Oladipo, who as expected, was named the Kia Most Improved Player. Oladipo was officially nominated for the award a month ago, but the expectation that he’d become the fifth player for the Indiana Pacers to win the award in the last 20 years came from before the New Year.
In his fifth season, Oladipo had career bests in in points, shooting, assists, rebounds, and steals, leading the league in the latter with 2.4 per game. The Most Improved Player Award is typically a statistical one, giving Oladipo and obvious leg up, but he also led the Pacers to the playoffs, earning All-NBA Third Team honors and was named to the All-Star Team for the first time.
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Beyond that, the event was filled with typical award show filler and guests including some awkward monologues, the NBA on TNT panel and familiar mock-ups, censored for TV Travis Scott performances, and Bill Russell flipping off Charles Barkley. The event is unlikely to go away, but a there’s a comfort there if that’s your lane, it would just be more interesting if the timing could be improved upon.
Nathan S.
https://www.indycornrows.com/2018/6/25/17504500/victor-oladipo-wins-most-improved-player-award-at-nba-awards