NBA Power Rankings: Top 10 Candidates for Most Improved Player of the Year
Webster's Dictionary defines the term improve as "to enhance in value and quality; to make better." When it comes to the 2010-2011 NBA season, there are a plethora of players who fit the bill for that description.
With less than 20 games remaining for every team this season, players have a short time to show who is most deserving of winning the league's Most Improved Player award. With so many young stars taking that next giant leap forward, this was difficult to select just 10 candidates.
So many players are having career seasons, and at least two or three players on this list are having such spectacular seasons, that they will also receive a few votes for the Most Valuable Player award as well.
The NBA's Most Improved Player award has been around since the 1986 season when Alvin Robertson took the honors as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. Robertson went on to have a great NBA career. Granted, not all of the players to win this prestigious award went on to become perennial All-Stars, but some of the recent winners are off to a great start, including Danny Granger and Monta Ellis.
Since 2000, five of the players to capture this honor went on to become All-Stars. A few of the candidates on this year's list played in this past All-Star Game last month, so you can see why it will be so challenging to choose a winner.
No. 10: Dorell Wright, Golden State Warriors
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It appears as if the Miami Heat had to let go of a few players who could have helped them this season in order to sign every free agent from last year. Dorell Wright is another one of those players.
The Warriors saw the potential in Wright, and he is paying immediate dividends.
Wright is averaging 16.2 PPG and 5.4 RPG in his breakout season. He has basically doubled his statistics in scoring, rebounding and assists in just one season while playing more minutes than almost any other player in the league.
While his overall field goal percentage may be down from years past, Wright has made a living behind the three-point line this season.
No. 9: Wesley Matthews, Portland Trailblazers
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Matthews has been the beneficiary of more minutes due to Brandon Roy's knee injury. Even though Roy is returning to the lineup, Matthews will still be counted on to shine in his increased role.
The second-year star for Portland is averaging 16.2 PPG, which is up almost seven points from his rookie campaign last year. He has been a big reason why the Trailblazers have been blazing up the Western Conference standings.
Matthews also shoots very well from the field and the free throw line, making his improvement impossible to ignore.
No. 8: Michael Beasley, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Miami had to trade Beasley to open up the necessary cap space to sign their trio of stars last offseason. That much they knew.
What they were probably unaware of, however, is the fact that Beasley would put up similar numbers to Chris Bosh, while coming in at a much lower salary.
Hindsight is 20/20, right?
Beasley is averaging 19.2 PPG as well a 5.5 RPG for the Timberwolves, and his inside game has improved in a major way.ย
But the most pleasant improvement may not have anything to do with his play on the court. Beasley was known as a bit of a headache when he was sent packing out of Miami, but he been a solid teammate in Minnesota.
That is what makes me believe that his career will only continue to improve.
No. 7: Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers
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Much of the attention went to rookie Evan Turner and veteran Andre Iguodala, but Holiday is one of the biggest reasons that the Sixers are competing for a playoff berth this season.
His numbers are up all across the board. His 13.9 PPG and 6.3 APG are up from 8.0 PPG and 3.8 APG from just a season ago. He has done an excellent job at getting all of his teammates involved and is certainly worthy of being mentioned for this award.
Perhaps equally impressive are the great strides Holiday has made defensively this season as well. He has the long reach to be a nightmare for opposing point guards.
And now that he hasย finally incorporated his own shot into his solid point play, Holiday's career is only going to continue upward.
After all, he is still just 20 years old.
No. 6: Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz
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Millsap is quickly becoming one of the more proficient scorers in the league today.
His numbers are up significantly from last season, as his scoring has gone from 11.6 PPG to 16.9 PPG and his rebounds have increased from 6.7 RPG to 7.8 RPG.
Millsap also shoots the ball extremely well from the field at almost 53 percent.
His numbers could decrease a little with the departure of Deron Williams, but nothing can be taken away from his improvement this season.
No. 5: Raymond Felton, Denver Nuggets
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Starting this season in New York with the Knicks was the best thing for Felton's career. He was finally able to be himself and open things up on offense. He never had that chance in Charlotte.
It remains to be seen what type of impact he can have in Denver, but he was a major piece of the Carmelo Anthony trade last month. The Nuggets wanted him included for a reason. They feel that he can lead this team, along with fellow North Carolina alum, Ty Lawson.
While some of his numbers have decreased in Denver, Felton's turnaround has still been amazing.
His scoring is up from 12.1 PPG to 16.2 PPG, and his assists have also risen, going from 5.6 APG to 8.7 APG.ย
He may no longer have Amar'e Stoudamire to pass to, but he will find more than enough options to get the ball to in Denver.
No. 4: Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
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Gordon has been unbelievable this season, as he currently finds himself in the top 10 in scoring. That is, he would have, had he not missed so many games with injuries.
But that does not prevent him from being in the running for the Most Improved Player award. When he is on the floor, he is developing into a scoring machine.
Gordon had an impressive rookie season with almost 17 PPG, but he has seen his production spike in his second season, watching his scoring improve to 23.7 PPG this season in 43 games.
His latest wrist injury may still keep him out for another week or so, but when he returns, the Clippers offense will improve as well.
No. 3: Russell Westbrook: Oklahoma City Thunder
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It is about time that Westbrook starts to receive the credit and recognition he deserves.
He is an All-Star, a triple-double threat on any given night and the best kept secret in the Western Conference.
Kevin Durant gets all the press, and he is certainly extremely deserving. But this offense runs through Westbrook.
On and off throughout this season, Westbrook and Durant made up the highest scoring duo in the game today. His numbers are up everywhere, including rising from 16.1 PPG to 22.3 PPG and 7.2 APG to 8.5 APG. His rebounding numbers have remained consistent.
Westbrook is quickly becoming one of the top point guards in the game, and once he finds a way to cut down on his turnovers, he will be mentioned as such.
No. 2: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
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It almost doesn't seem right to include the MVP favorite to also be in the running to take home the MIP award as well. After all, how much hardware can one player win in a single season?
But Rose has to be mentioned on this list. He was already a fantastic player, but if he didn't improve all that much, how could he also be a candidate for the MVP as well?
Rose may not win this award. He may not even be the best candidate. The fact that he is probably in the top two in the MVP race will probably take him out of the running for this honor.
But when you lead one of the best teams in the NBA and watch your numbers rise from 20.8 PPG to 24.7 PPG and see your assists go from 6.0 APG to 8.5 APG, how can you not at least be considered?
No. 1: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
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That brings us to Mr. Double-Double, himself.
Love has already broken Moses Malone's record for consecutive double-doubles in aย season, and he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
His numbers have dramatically improved across the board. He plays for a terrible team, but he would have been considered in the MVP race had he had more of a supporting cast around him.
Love has improved his scoring from 14.0 PPG to 20.9 PPG and his rebounds from 11.0 RPG to 15.8 RPG.
No one has seen a more drastic rise in production than Love, so he is the odds on favorite at this point.
Rose has risen, but Kevin will get more love.
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