NBA: Move Aside MVP...Let's Look at the Most Improved

The MVP award is given out for the single player who has achieved the most or helped his team the most in any situation. These players of course are given the glory of knowing they are considered the "Most Valuable Player" for that regular season. Now that is all fine but there is one award that I adore and is even more highly underrated then any of the other awards and that is the Most Improved Player award.

We are essentially talking about the award that proves that the players can excell their game past and achieve their potential. We are talking about the players who can be potential all-stars and finally achieve that bit of glory that they never began with. We are talking about the players who can finally get their first scent of finally being recognized in the NBA as legitment stars. So let's break down our candidates, shall we?

5. Brendan Haywood

2006-2007 Statistics: 6.6 PPG, 6.2 RBG, 2.5 OFF, 1.1 BPG, 0.558 FG%.

2007-2008 Statistics: 10.7 PPG, 7.3 RBG, 3.4 OFF, 1.7 BGP, 0.534 FG%.  

Call me crazy but Brendan Haywood deserves to be on this list. Haywood has nearly solved the issue with one of the Wizard's key weakness, the inside game. While Haywood is not as prolific or as dominant as other centers in the NBA; his ability to score inside the paint along with creating inside defensive stops was one of the keys to the Wizards staying alive without Gilbert Arenas. Haywood may never reach being one of the top centers in the NBA but numbers don't lie and he is improving and becoming a reliable and consistent big man for the Wizards.  

4a. Andrew Bynum

2006-2007 Statistics: 7.8 PPG, 5.9 RBG, 1.7 OFF, 1.6 BPG, 0.558 FG%.

2007-2008 Statistics: 13.1 PPG, 10.2 RBG, 3.0 OFF, 2.1 BPG, 0.636 FG%.

It's quite a shame that Andrew Bynum really can't go any higher in the list of candidates because of the injury. His third year in the NBA has made a gigantic difference in making the Lakers one of the teams to beat before his injury. Before his injury, He would be consistently a 10-10 guy and help the Lakers have a dominant inside threat. His scoring has improved nearly double of what it was last year along with his rebounds. His blocks and FG percentage have also increased significantly. His training with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has proven to be one key reason why he has gained so much within such few years. His athletic ability and his rebounding skills are incredibly dominant and even has the flare of a Dwight Howard and of a young Shaq. Do not be surprised to see Andrew Bynum in an all-star game within the next couple of years in the NBA. The Lakers have themselves a young rising center and he will be in LA for a long time.

4b. Devin Harris

2006-2007 Statistics: 10.2 PPG, 3.7 APG,  2.5 RBG, .280 3P%, .492 FG%.

2007-2008 Statistics: 15.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 2.8 RBG, .319 3P%, .457 FG%.

Yes, I had two ties for fourth in my list of candidates. But, Devin Harris is one that should not be overlooked. Harris' play has evolved exponentially ever year that he has been in the league and this year is no different. A player who jumped five points above his last year's average is something that should not be overlooked. But, Devin Harris' ability does not just come from his scoring but of his unsung defensive skills at the point position. Reaching six assists is hardly a typical amount for a point guard but his uncanning defensive skills are to be feared at that position. What made Dallas so successful at defense was Harris guarding the perimeter and his athleticism to guard point guards that wish to drive in the paint as well. He consistently guarded point guards like Tony Parker and Steve Nash to some success. While some of his other totals are barely better then they were a season ago, He is still a growing point guard who can eventually make himself a perennial point guard in the NBA.

3. Mike Dunleavy, Jr.

2006-2007 Statistics: 12.7 PPG, 5.2 RBG, 2.8 APG, .314 3P%, .452 FG%.

2007-2008 Statistics: 18.7 PPG, 5.2 RBG, 3.5 APG, .415 3P%, .481 FG%.

Mike Dunleavy is probably one of the sole reasons why the Pacers have even a slim chance to reach the playoffs this year. Going from the Warriors to the Pacers has upped his game even more due to the fact that he is probably the only player on that team that can prevent himself from being injured. His shooting is incredibly consistent and jumping from 13 to 19 points is not easy. Especially the fact that he can keep his field goal percentage and 3 point percentage high is another attribute that even makes Dunleavy even more deserving of this consideration. I would call Dunleavy's only downside is his lack of athleticism. He is more on the builds of a Stojakovic in just being a pure shooter. If he continues to give 15-20 points a game; We might see him finally get some recognization for being the Pacers' new ray of hope.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge

2006-2007 Statistics: 9.0 PPG, 5.0 RBG, 2.3 OFF, 1.2 BPG, .503 FG%.

2007-2008 Statistics: 17.7 PPG, 7.3 RBG, 2.8 OFF, 1.3 BPG, .491 FG%.

Aldridge is one of the key reasons why the TrailBlazers have had a decent amount success this year. One of the candidates for Rookie of the Year last year has incredibly improved his game in a lot of levels. He is their dominant power foward and with his consistent inside scoring game along with his increased rebounding skills have made Portland a tough defensive and offensive team. Nearly doubling his point total along with keeping a consistent shooting percentage while rebounding the ball has made Aldridge one of the key components for the Trail Blazers. Aldridge along with the entire TrailBlazers team will be one to be feared in a couple of years considering the fact on how young their team is along with the return of Greg Oden. The only reason why Aldridge is not the front runner for Most Improved Player is because of injuries.

1. Hedo Turkoglu

2006-2007 Statistics: 13.3 PPG, 4.0 RBG, 3.2 APG, .388 3P%, .419 FG%.

2007-2008 Statistics: 19.6 PPG, 5.9 RBG, 4.9 APG, .407 3P%, .453 FG%.

I'm sorry to tell you Rasheed fans but Hedo was robbed for the All-star game. Hedo Turkoglu is the Most Improved Player for the 07-08 season. His ability to score and his uncanning 3-point shooting ability has made him the number 2 guy for the Magic. I gurantee you NO ONE except hardcore Magic fans thought Turkoglu would have a break out season like this one. He has great court vision for a foward and has just enough shooting stroke to make him a deadly mid to long range shooter. Call him a Stojakovic clone if you want but his ability to stay healthy throughout the Magic season has been key for them to be successful. The MIP award is a rather close one this year but I have to give it to Turkoglu and give him the nod for the Most Improved Player for this year. 

Statistics from NBA.com