Kyle Lowry: 8 Reasons Houston Rockets PG Is NBA's Most Improved Player

There are several candidates for the NBA's Most Improved Player this season, but all the other candidates should line up behind Houston Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry.

Lowry is off to a fantastic 2012 season and is the biggest reason why the Rockets are contending in the Southwest Division.

There's no doubt that Lowry should be the NBA's Most Improved Player.

Here's some reasons why.

Numbers and Where He Ran

We'll start with the obvious first and that's the terrific numbers of Lowry this season.

First let's look at last season's numbers:

Last season: 13.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, 4.1 RPG

Now let's take a look at this season:

This season: 14.6 PPG, 8.1 APG, 6.1 RPG

He's up across the board, but he not only ranks in among the top point guards in the Western Conference, but among the tops in the NBA.

• PPG – 13th (7th in the West)
• RPG – 1st (Leads shooting guards as well)
• APG – 8th (4th in the West)
• SPG – Tied for 4th (Tied for 4th in the West)
• BPG – Tied for 8th (Tied for 3rd among PG’s in the West)
• FT percentage- 3rd (3rd in the West)
• Turnovers – Tied for 5th (3rd in the West)
• Efficiency – Tied for 1st

Based on numbers alone, Lowry has positioned himself among the elite point guards in the game.

Should Be an All-Star

Just looking at the numbers on the previous slide, Lowry should be an All-Star.

What's more important is that any conversation involving the best point guards in the NBA now needs to include Lowry's name.

Ability to Erupt

Lowry has shown the ability to erupt for near triple-double type numbers on a nightly basis despite not having the most talented team around him.

Look at the fact that he plays the toughest position on the court and that with the abundance of great guards in the NBA right now, and he never gets a night off.

Makes the Most of What He Has

No other star in the NBA has made the improvements Lowry has without significant upgrades in the offseason.

Kevin McHale has given Lowry the ball and he's run with it. He posts big numbers every night despite the likes of Samuel Dalembert and Chandler Parsons starting alongside him, not to mention guys like Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet coming off the bench.

Leadership

Because of that lack of major talent, Lowry has become the Rockets leader.

He's the heart and soul of the Houston team and has filled the role of leader vacated by the departure of Chuck Hayes.

He's been a leader both by his play on the court and vocally. If you want to be considered an elite point guard, you have to lead like one and Lowry's been able to do that.

Pick-and-Roll Master

The best part of Lowry's game is the masterful way he runs the pick-and-roll.

It's a big staple in the Houston offense and Lowry runs it as well as anyone in the game. If he keeps that up, he will have a long and successful career.

Defense

The next best part of Lowry's game is the way he gets after it on the defensive end of the floor.

In such a short time, he's become a very good defensive guard that brings a fiery effort on a consistent basis.

He's Got Houston Winning

The main reason while Lowry should be the NBA's Most Improved Player is the fact that he's got Houston winning.

On paper they really shouldn't be that good, but behind Lowry they are 13-11 and on the verge of a playoff berth in the West.