Most Improved

 As a Kings fan, I am a little surprised to see Collison on your list, but not Cousins. Cousins has improved tremendously, especially on the defensive end although it is not nescesarily noted by some people. If maturity factored in to the award, DMC would be somewhat in the discussion. Also I would probably place McLemore ahead of Collison as well for MIP. His defensive analytic numbers are exceptional compared to last season and he is somewhat close to posting coveted 50-40-90 shooting splits although he is only averaging 10, 3 and 1. He is at about 47-41-87% shooting right now. 

 As a Kings fan, I am a little surprised to see Collison on your list, but not Cousins. Cousins has improved tremendously, especially on the defensive end although it is not nescesarily noted by some people. If maturity factored in to the award, DMC would be somewhat in the discussion. Also I would probably place McLemore ahead of Collison as well for MIP. His defensive analytic numbers are exceptional compared to last season and he is somewhat close to posting coveted 50-40-90 shooting splits although he is only averaging 10, 3 and 1. He is at about 47-41-87% shooting right now. 

 Vucevic! 18.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 51 FG%, 79 FT% and a PER of 20.57

I guess his only major statistical improvement from last season is PPG (14.2 to 18.7) but his overall impact on the game has improved so much.

 Vucevic! 18.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 51 FG%, 79 FT% and a PER of 20.57

I guess his only major statistical improvement from last season is PPG (14.2 to 18.7) but his overall impact on the game has improved so much.

I think at this point I’d go with Anthony Davis. He’s gone from fringe All-Star to possible MVP. I think second place at this point is clearly Jimmy Butler. He’s been a complete stud. He’s top 10 in the league in scoring, top 5 in rebounding for guards, and he’s the leading scorer on the third best team in the East right now. His scoring has gone up from 13.1 PPG ro 21.6 PPG with almost identical playing time, while his FG% has gone up from 39.7% to 49.2% on four more shots per game. His efficiency has improved significantly as his usage has risen, which is uncommon. He’s creating his own shot like never before. His PER has risen from 13.57 to 21.81. On top of all of this, he’s still playing his usual stellar defense. He’s just a much better player this season and is displaying a more complete game than he ever has. Don’t be surprised if he wins this award.

I think at this point I’d go with Anthony Davis. He’s gone from fringe All-Star to possible MVP. I think second place at this point is clearly Jimmy Butler. He’s been a complete stud. He’s top 10 in the league in scoring, top 5 in rebounding for guards, and he’s the leading scorer on the third best team in the East right now. His scoring has gone up from 13.1 PPG ro 21.6 PPG with almost identical playing time, while his FG% has gone up from 39.7% to 49.2% on four more shots per game. His efficiency has improved significantly as his usage has risen, which is uncommon. He’s creating his own shot like never before. His PER has risen from 13.57 to 21.81. On top of all of this, he’s still playing his usual stellar defense. He’s just a much better player this season and is displaying a more complete game than he ever has. Don’t be surprised if he wins this award.

At this moment I would say Butler: he has gone from strictly a defensive player to a go-to-guy on offense. Another, more surprising candidate is Evan Fournier. He is showing in Orlanda is definitely belongs in the league, becoming somewhat of a reincarnation of Ginobili.

At this moment I would say Butler: he has gone from strictly a defensive player to a go-to-guy on offense. Another, more surprising candidate is Evan Fournier. He is showing in Orlanda is definitely belongs in the league, becoming somewhat of a reincarnation of Ginobili.

 Brandon Knight should defnitel be in the top 5 MIP canditates so far this year. You could also make a case for Marc Gasol.

 Brandon Knight should defnitel be in the top 5 MIP canditates so far this year. You could also make a case for Marc Gasol.

 I’d say Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler have made the most impressive leaps, but I would give the edge to Butler since it was not only less expected, but came when he was older.  Young guys make leaps more often, but Butler is 25 and in his fourth season, so him making the leap from utility player to all-star is not super expected, even if he did always have talent.

Evan Fournier and Giannis Antetokounmpo are other guys who could get consideration, but I kinda feel Fournier’s spike in stats is mostly due to opportunity, rather than huge skill improvement.  Giannis has made massive skill improvement, even more than what shows on the stat sheet, but he was kinda expected to improve a lot. 

It seems like a lot of players really improved over the offseason.  I don’t remember the MIP award being so competitive in years past.  In addition to everybody already mentioned, guys like Courtney Lee, Gordon Hayward, Donald Sloan and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Shame he got injured) have all made significant improvements.  Even stars like Dirk Nowitzki, Marc Gasol and James Harden have improved their games significantly.  

 I’d say Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler have made the most impressive leaps, but I would give the edge to Butler since it was not only less expected, but came when he was older.  Young guys make leaps more often, but Butler is 25 and in his fourth season, so him making the leap from utility player to all-star is not super expected, even if he did always have talent.

Evan Fournier and Giannis Antetokounmpo are other guys who could get consideration, but I kinda feel Fournier’s spike in stats is mostly due to opportunity, rather than huge skill improvement.  Giannis has made massive skill improvement, even more than what shows on the stat sheet, but he was kinda expected to improve a lot. 

It seems like a lot of players really improved over the offseason.  I don’t remember the MIP award being so competitive in years past.  In addition to everybody already mentioned, guys like Courtney Lee, Gordon Hayward, Donald Sloan and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Shame he got injured) have all made significant improvements.  Even stars like Dirk Nowitzki, Marc Gasol and James Harden have improved their games significantly.  

Knight started out hot but has been cooling off. Draymond Green has been a pretty big surprise though, I’d probably give my vote to him. I love grindey players that can do it all like Green.

Another Warrior that has been surprising is Marreese Speights, took him a while to get anything going but man is he hot right now. Multiple 20+ scoring games and just got a double-double last night. I went to the Thunder vs. Warriors game where he went off for 28 points, he was a man among boys and could not miss from anywhere, he was sinking shots almost out to the 3pt. line. Curry and Klay didn’t do much that night, was pretty much all Green & Speights.

Knight started out hot but has been cooling off. Draymond Green has been a pretty big surprise though, I’d probably give my vote to him. I love grindey players that can do it all like Green.

Another Warrior that has been surprising is Marreese Speights, took him a while to get anything going but man is he hot right now. Multiple 20+ scoring games and just got a double-double last night. I went to the Thunder vs. Warriors game where he went off for 28 points, he was a man among boys and could not miss from anywhere, he was sinking shots almost out to the 3pt. line. Curry and Klay didn’t do much that night, was pretty much all Green & Speights.

Gordon Hayward, his percentages last year were poor and this year they are all much better, he has 4 games over 3 points this year and he had 4 games over 30 for his whole career before this year. Like always his play makes his teammates better but his own stats are much improved.

Gordon Hayward, his percentages last year were poor and this year they are all much better, he has 4 games over 3 points this year and he had 4 games over 30 for his whole career before this year. Like always his play makes his teammates better but his own stats are much improved.

 The G stands for GETS PAPER!

The Bulls made a terrible move not paying Jimmy Butler the 13ish million that he wanted. If they wish to keep him they will now most likely be forced to offer/match a max deal for him. The best wing defender in the game is now 10th in the league in scoring and getting to the charity stripe 10 times a game. 

I think we can put to rest the debate of the league’s best backcourt.

 The G stands for GETS PAPER!

The Bulls made a terrible move not paying Jimmy Butler the 13ish million that he wanted. If they wish to keep him they will now most likely be forced to offer/match a max deal for him. The best wing defender in the game is now 10th in the league in scoring and getting to the charity stripe 10 times a game. 

I think we can put to rest the debate of the league’s best backcourt.

 I would go with Jimmy Butler.

Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol have taken it up a notch, but they have both been all-stars before.

Jimmy Butler went from an average/above average young guy into a possible all-star.  

 I would go with Jimmy Butler.

Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol have taken it up a notch, but they have both been all-stars before.

Jimmy Butler went from an average/above average young guy into a possible all-star.  

It’s clearly Jimmy Butler. 

We all knew he was an elite defender, but who knew he could be this good offensively? I’m completely shocked at what he’s doing at that end.  

I’m interested to see if he can keep this up. 

It’s clearly Jimmy Butler. 

We all knew he was an elite defender, but who knew he could be this good offensively? I’m completely shocked at what he’s doing at that end.  

I’m interested to see if he can keep this up. 

 So much for Andre Drummond taking the M.I.P. with 18-ppg and 15-rpg. Its funny because as soon as his expectations went through the roof he started to "underperform". I think part of it is SVG trying to make him an offensive weapon and US expecting it to magically work overnight. Just let the kid develop.

 So much for Andre Drummond taking the M.I.P. with 18-ppg and 15-rpg. Its funny because as soon as his expectations went through the roof he started to "underperform". I think part of it is SVG trying to make him an offensive weapon and US expecting it to magically work overnight. Just let the kid develop.

 Tony Wroten for honorable mention.

 Tony Wroten for honorable mention.

 We$ Matthews. Has been averaging 17 points a game and 4 rebounds for a shooting guard. He’s been money form the 3pt line and always seems to come up with a basket when the blazers need it.

 We$ Matthews. Has been averaging 17 points a game and 4 rebounds for a shooting guard. He’s been money form the 3pt line and always seems to come up with a basket when the blazers need it.