Making The Jump: Top Ten Candidates For The 2011 Most Improved Player Award
The NBA Most Improved Player Award, which was first introduced in the 1985-86 season, is given each year to the player who has taken his game to the next level and shown the most improvement. Many past winners, such as Gilbert Arenas, Jermaine O' Neal and Zach Randolph, had slow starts to their careers before having a breakout year and becoming stars in the league. There are bound to be a number of players who have breakout years this season, but only one will be the winner. Here are the top ten candidates for the 2011 Most Improved Player Award.
Honorable Mentions
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Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Conley was drafted fourth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, but has not lived up to expectations, averaging just 10.9 points and 4.7 assists per game for the Grizzlies in his first three seasons. After a few disappointing seasons, will this be the year he finally lives up to his potential? Or will the Grizzlies look for other options?
D.J. Augustin, Charlotte Bobcats
After a strong rookie season and a brutal sophomore slump, Augustin is the lead candidate to replace Raymond Felton as the Bobcats’ starting point guard. Can he pick up his shooting and carry the Bobcats? Or will he face another disastrous season?
J.J. Redick, Orlando Magic
The potential is there for Orlando’s shooting guard of the future, but he may have to sit behind Vince Carter for a couple more seasons. Redick may be a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings
In 2011, Casspi will try to beat Donte Greene out for the Kings’ starting small forward spot. But his biggest test will be remaining consistent throughout the entire season.
Dejuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs
Blair was one of the steals of the draft last season, and was given a well earned spot on the All-Rookie Second Team. Extremely energetic and efficient, Blair has potential to be a star in the league, but may struggle to get minutes next season while competing with Tim Duncan, Antonio McDyess, Matt Bonner and Tiago Splitter.
10. Amir Johnson, Toronto Raptors
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The departure of Chris Bosh leaves Amir Johnson with a major opportunity to prove himself. Johnson was solid as a backup last season, averaging 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 18 minutes per game, and produced many highlights with his athleticism.
Ed Davis, the 13th overall pick in the 2010 Draft by the Raptors, may not be ready to step into a starting role for Toronto, so the job will likely fall into Johnson’s hands. It’s highly unlikely that Johnson will be able to give the Raptors the kind of production that Bosh did, but he should provide energy, defense and athleticism and will take some of the rebounding burden off of Andrea Bargnani, who will be the new face of the Raptors and will need to focus on scoring. If given starters minutes, I expect Johnson to average around 12 points, 8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
9. C.J. Miles, Utah Jazz
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C.J. Miles, a 6’6 small forward for the Utah Jazz, had a solid season last year as a scorer off the bench for Utah. Miles averaged 9.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game last season, and proved to be a very versatile scorer. Although inconsistent, Miles is an above average shooter and defender and is a fantastic dunker.
Due to the departure of Ronnie Brewer and injuries to Andrei Kirilenko, Miles was forced to take on a greater role during the end of the 2010 season. He embraced the opportunity, proving himself as a reliable scorer and helping lift the scoring burden off of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer.
Miles really stepped it up in the playoffs this year, averaging 14.4 points per game in the Jazz’s 10 playoff matches. Although he will have to compete with Raja Bell, Andrei Kirilenko and Gordon Hayward for minutes next season, Miles has a chance to start for the Jazz at either wing positions and could be a contender for MIP. If given approximately 30 minutes per game, I expect him to average around 15 points per game.
8. JaVale McGee, Washington Wizards
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JaVale McGee is a freak of nature. At 22 years old, McGee is 7'0 tall, 252 pounds and incredibly agile for his size. McGee is comparable to Lamar Odom in that they are both big men with excellent ball handling ability and the willingness to take the ball up the court on the fast break. McGee uses his length and athleticism to block shots and finish on dunk attempts.
During the 2010 Vegas Summer League, McGee was one of the top performers and formed an unstoppable duo with 1st overall pick John Wall. Countless times Wall tossed lobs to McGee, who finished with powerful alley-oop slams.
McGee's production has been stunted the last couple of years due to a lack of playing time. This had previously been attributed to a lack of fitness, before it was discovered that McGee suffered from undiagnosed asthma. However, McGee will likely be the Wizards' starting center this season, and with his asthma now under control he should be able to play 30-plus minutes per game. I expect McGee to average around 13 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks per game in 2010-11, and be a major candidate for MIP.
7. Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers
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Jrue Holiday, drafted 17th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, was the youngest player in the league last season, and the first ever NBA player to be born in the 1990's. Holiday was thrust into the starting role early last season after point guard Louis Williams suffered an injury in the form of a broken jaw. Despite his youth, Holiday showed surprising skill and maturity during Williams' absence, and demonstrated his excellent on-ball defense, shooting ability and court vision.
Holiday averaged a solid 8 points and 3.8 assists per game last season 24 minutes a contest, and the 76ers were better with him on the floor than they were with Williams running the point, despite Williams having superior stats and playing more minutes.
Holiday should team up with Evan Turner to create a formidable young backcourt for the 76ers. Due to the passing ability of both Turner and Andre Iguodala, Holiday may be more of a scoring point guard in 2011 than a distributor. This would certainly suit him, as Holiday proved he can score when he lit it up for the 76ers during the summer league, averaging 19.3 points per game. Holiday should get more minutes next season and embrace a greater leadership role. I expect him to average around 15 points, 5 assists and 2 steals in 33 minutes per game next season.
6. Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets
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After a mediocre start to his rookie season, Terrence Williams began to show the athleticism and versatility that had made him worthy of a lottery selection as the season progressed. Standing at 6’6 and weighing 220 pounds, Williams has fantastic strength and athleticism. He was a human highlight reel last season, producing numerous jaw-dropping dunks and impressive trick shots.
Williams is an outstanding rebounder at the shooting guard positions, largely due to exceptional vertical leaping ability, and is also an excellent distributor. Williams’ rookie stats weren’t particularly impressive, as he averaged just 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game last season while playing 22 minutes a match. However, this is largely because Williams struggled to find minutes and consistency early in the season. Once he was given more chances later in the season, Williams capitalized, as he averaged over 14 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5 assists per game during a 22 game period.
Williams will likely start for the Nets this season at either shooting guard or small forward, and should put up much better numbers than in his rookie season. When he is given adequate minutes, every aspect of Williams’ game is better, from his rebounding to his distributing to his shot selection. Under new head coach Avery Johnson, Williams should get about 32 minutes per game, and I expect him to average around 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game.
5. Anthony Randolph, New York Knicks
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After a strong start to the 2009-10 season, Anthony Randolph suffered a season ending ankle injury and was forced to watch from the sidelines as the Warriors experienced yet another mediocre season. This summer, Randolph was traded from the Warriors to the Knicks along with Kelenna Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf in exchange for David Lee.
Randolph averaged 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season in just 23 minutes a contest, and has the talent to be a starter in the NBA. However, it is unlikely that he will get the minutes he deserves next season, as the Knicks seem to have acquired their power forward (Randolph’s natural position) of the future this offseason in Amar’e Stoudemire. Although capable of playing center, Stoudemire has made it clear he has no intention of playing at the five for the Knicks, and Randolph’s 225-pound frame does not match up well to the bruisers of the league. Although there will be times where both Randolph and Stoudemire are on the floor, Randolph will likely play the role of sixth-man and get most of his minutes backing up Stoudemire and Ronny Turiaf, who will likely start at center for the Knicks.
Randolph is fully capable of becoming a star in the league, and in the right situation would be the lead candidate for MIP in 2011. The only thing I see holding Randolph back this season will be his minutes, but if he is given close to 30 minutes per game, he is capable of making a serious impact. I expect Randolph to average around 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in 28 minutes per game this season.
4. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
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After two rather forgettable seasons with the Pacers, a certain 7’2 center out of Georgetown is ready to rock the NBA. And that would be Roy Hibbert. Hibbert put up decent numbers last season, averaging 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. However, he struggled with rebounding, foul trouble and consistency, and ultimately did not perform the way Indiana hoped he would. But that may be about to change.
Hibbert has been working hard all summer to improve his game, dedicating himself to rigorous kickboxing training with teammate Paul George to get in shape for the upcoming season. In addition, Pacers’ Head of Basketball Operations Larry Bird has arranged for Hibbert to train privately with Hall of Famer Bill Walton, in the hopes of improving Hibbert’s rebounding and post moves. With a height of 7’2 and 278-pound body, Hibbert has the tools he needs to become an elite center in the NBA, but simply needs to put them to good use.
Hibbert should have a breakout year next season, benefiting greatly both from his training with Walton and from the Pacers’ acquisition of point guard Darren Collison, who should pair well with the massive Hibbert. I expect Hibbert to average around 16 points, 9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game next season, and he should be one of the top candidates for MIP in 2011.
3. Nicolas Batum, Portland Trailblazers
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The Portland Trailblazers have a very high opinion of Nicolas Batum. So much so that they reportedly turned down an offer for all-star Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats in a swap for Batum in 2009. At only 21 years of age, the 6’8 Batum is thought to have superstar potential, and will begin his third NBA season this year as the Trailblazers’ starting small forward.
In his rookie season, Batum started all but three games, but played minimal minutes, as his role was that of a defensive stopper early in games. In the summer following his rookie campaign, Batum worked hard to improve his offensive game, but a shoulder injury forced him to sit out the first 45 games of the 2009-10 season. Batum appeared in just 37 games last season, but was very impressive, averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in just 25 minutes per game while shooting 52% from the field and 41% from deep. The Frenchman proved to be not only a fantastic defender but also a high-flyer and three-point marksman.
Batum played well for France in the 2010 FIBA World Championships before being eliminated by Turkey. With two years of experience under his belt, along with considerable international play, Batum should experience a breakout year for the Blazers in 2011. With Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster gone and Rudy Fernandez likely soon to follow, Batum will have considerably less competition at the wing spots and should get 30-plus minutes per game. I expect Batum to average around 14 points and 5 rebounds per game while being named to the All-Defensive Second Team.
2. J.J. Hickson, Cleveland Cavaliers
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The exit of LeBron James from the Cavaliers organization has Cleveland stumbling for a new direction. A team suddenly crushed by the departure of their heart and soul has only one place to look for the future: the future. And for the Cavaliers, the future appears to be J.J. Hickson.
Hickson averaged 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 21 minutes per game last season, and used his strength and athleticism to convert on ferocious dunks while also developing his post moves. He started 73 of 81 games last season but played fewer minutes than Anderson Varejao, Shaq and Antawn Jamison. Hickson is expected to be the Cavaliers’ starting power forward and should take a much bigger role this season.
With starter’s minutes, I expect Hickson to be a focal point of the Cavaliers’ offense and average around 16 points and 8 rebounds per game, which should make him a prime candidate for the MIP award. He may suffer from the absence of LeBron's distributing, but Hickson should still improve. The opportunities will be there, and so will the expectations, so only time will tell if Hickson can live up to the hype.
1. Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers
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The 2007 First Overall Pick has had a very harsh start to his career. After missing his entire rookie season due to micro fracture surgery on his right knee, Oden managed to appear in 61 games in his second season with the Trailblazers. However, he still struggled with injuries and started just 39 games. During the 2008-09 season, he averaged 8.9 points and 7 rebounds per game in just 22 minutes a contest. Oden often struggled with foul trouble and generally failed to meet expectations in his rookie season.
Oden experienced a very promising start to the 2009-10 season (his second) averaging 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 63% from the field in 24 minutes per game. He started all 21 games, but then disaster struck once again. In a game versus the Houston Rockets, Oden suffered yet another season ending injury when he fractured his patella in a collision. This was just one of many injuries that stunted the Blazers during this past season, but it was arguably the most shattering.
Although Oden’s recovery timetable is still uncertain, he should come back next season hungrier than ever to prove himself and make an impact. If he remains healthy and averages 30-plus minutes per game, Oden could average around 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game, and be a major candidate for both the MIP and Defensive Player of the Year awards. The Blazers are relying on Oden to help them become true contenders, and I expect him to have a fantastic career despite his hard upward climb.
Thanks For Reading
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Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed my article. Please comment any thoughts or questions you have.
Comment your pick for 2011 Most Improved Player!
