As the season is about 2/3 done...if the season ended today who would be your most improved player? I picked five of the top candidates for most improved player of the year in my opinion..you may not agree so post your own candidate for most improved player if it isn't on this list and BTW this list is in no particular orderCandidate 1: David Lee05/06: 5.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG06/07: 11.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPGHe turned into a player that was pretty good..but nobody was sure would meet expectations to a double double machine and one of the leaders of the New York Knicks. I love this kid's game because he is a hardworker, an amazing rebounder, at top 7 in the league ahead of huge names like Tim Duncan, Chris Bosh and Ben Wallce as well as being an athletic freak and taking good shots.Candidate 2: Kevin Martin05/06: 10.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG06/07: 21.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPGIt may not seem like he struggled in 05/06 but that was the year where people realized..wow maybe this kid does have talent..I remember when I fell in love with his game..he exploded for 31 points in the playoffs last year and I knew he would be a great player this year. He has turned into the offense and defensive leader of the Kings and become their "Star" and even though not many people are familiar with him now..they will be and maybe he will become a "Superstar."Candidate 3: Al Jefferson05/06: 7.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG06/07: 14.2 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.0 APG 0.5 SPG, 1.43 BPGAl isn't becoming a "leader" on the Celtics like Kevin Martin is for the Kings but he's definitely established himself as a main point of the offense becoming the number two option behind Paul Pierce. He is one of the best up and coming rebounders in the league and has become a top 7 rebounder ahead of big names like Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace and Chris Bosh. He has a huge upside and is being mentioned in the same breath among players like Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh.Candidate 4: Monta Ellis05/06: 6.8 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG06/07: 17.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPGFirst of all, to finally get it straight..it's MON-TAY Ellis. He is also one of the best up and coming young players in the league and can score in many, many different ways. He is becoming the face of the Golden State Warriors and when Baron Davis is starting, he has been their spark off the bench. Now with Baron Davis out, Monta is the starting PG and will surely continue to have a phenomenal season. With over a 10+ PPG increase, he has definitely worked on his game and will continue to be an explosive scorer.Candidate 5: Deron Williams05/06: 10.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG06/07: 17.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 9.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPGDeron has always been a great scorer but this year he's been one of the most incredible passers in the entire league. He has become a pretty good rookie with potential, but overshadowed by Chris Paul...to the #2 passer in the entire league behind just reigning MVP Steve Nash. He has lead the Utah Jazz to one of the best records in the Western Conference and the entire league. Deron Williams has worked a lot on his game and over the past year I've noticed he's completely turned into an all-star and IMO deserved a spot on the team this year. I think Deron Williams can be an even more explosive scorer but he just makes his teammates so much better because of his playmaking ability.
I think Biedrins and Barbosa need a mention as well. Just throwing that out there.But if I had to give the award today, I think I might give it to Kevin Martin. I know David Lee has had an outstanding year, and you could make just as strong a case for him, but I think Martin deserves it right now. Now, if Lee won it, I'd still be happy with the decision. If Monta Ellis won, it, I wouldn't complain either. But I think Martin should get it. He has come up from the Kings' 6th man to their leading scorer and most consistent player in just one season. He has hit some BIG shots for them this year. His defensive game is improved. He doesn't force anything, he let's the game come to him and he's a very solid player. The only thing I can complain about Martin is the look of his shot, lol, but hey it works, right? He has just made some great strides this year.EDIT: By the way, playa, how's that Scal sig workin out for ya?
I don't care lolI take pride in itand I know Al may be a bit of a "homer" pick over Biedrins who I was thinkin of putting but you can't say losing 30 pounds, developing a top 5 hookshot in the league and averaging a double-double, being in the company of guys like Tim Duncan, Chris Bosh, Ben Wallace rebounding staitistically isn't "improved A LOT"
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Feb 23 2007, 02:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't care lolI take pride in itand I know Al may be a bit of a "homer" pick over Biedrins who I was thinkin of putting but you can't say losing 30 pounds, developing a top 5 hookshot in the league and averaging a double-double, being in the company of guys like Tim Duncan, Chris Bosh, Ben Wallace rebounding staitistically isn't "improved A LOT"</div>I never said Big Al shouldn't be mentioned, I agree that he should be in the top 5. All I said was that I think Biedrins and Barbosa at least deserve to have their names mentioned in this thread. Big Al has made some great strides, no question about it, and I'd put him above Biedrins on this list as well.
yeah I was just making a point to people who are gonna reply and call it a homer pickbesides the 1st two lines none of the post was directed to you
Kevin Martin easily has this in my opinion. He is now an amazing offensive player. He drives well, and he has an amazing shot. He shoots a good percentage too.
I really think Barbosa. He went from really an average player to now someone who can easily put up 20+ a night but is kind of limited because he is coming off the bench. If he was on most other teams in the league he would start (and personally, I think he should start instead of Bell...) but he comes off the bench and still performs amazingly.
Seems like this year has more candidates than there have ever been. A lot of guys are worthy of this award, and a great case can be made for any one of them. I personally have to go from Deron Williams, who went from afterthought to elite point guard in just the span of a year. The kids been leading the Jazz to a very good year, and is going to be the 2nd best point guard in the NBA pretty damn soon. The MIP is not about going from 5ppg/5rpg to 16/10. It's about transforming from a role player to a star player and leader. That's Deron Williams. Making the transition from "great" to "star" is much harder than "good" to "great".
For me, my guy is David Lee. I had no idea he would be getting 11/11 a game and just kicking ass. Kevin Martin has had a great year, gone up a notch but I'm just more impressed with Lee for some reason...Deron Williams...eh...I knew he was going to be 16/8 kind of guy this year and he was an elite prospect being held back by Sloan...Deron could have put up around 15/7 if he had gotten consistant minutes last year I just like Lee a lot, whenever I've watched him this season he's just a bull.
IMO, itll be Monta Ellis. I agree completely with yankshater, but unfortunely thats not how it works. Its much more of a stats thing....I think Ellis will win it simply cause GS is a bit better than the Kings...btw, Lee is defiently athletic, but not a freak athlete.
The thing that may hurt Kevin Martin's chance is that he was putting up these numbers towards the end of last season for a good streach. My vote goes for Jefferson, doubling you scoring, rebounds, and blocks, pretty nice.
As much as I love Al, and really want him to win it, I don't think he should. We all knew he could and would do this, it was just a matter of playing time and touches. This year he's been getting much more and his improvement hasn't been at all surprising.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yankshater213 @ Feb 24 2007, 10:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>As much as I love Al, and really want him to win it, I don't think he should. We all knew he could and would do this, it was just a matter of playing time and touches. This year he's been getting much more and his improvement hasn't been at all surprising.</div>Exactly. We all knew Big Al would be this kind of player sooner or later, nobody ever expected Kevin Martin to be as good as he is right now. He made unbelievable strides and he has improved his entire game a great deal even since last year's playoffs. He deserves it, without question.Also, they don't give the award to a player on the worst team, that's just how it is.
I agree, giving most improved player to a top 10 pick is pretty stupid...I'd rather give it to a guy most people didn't think would do it. Like a Kevin Martin or David Lee. We all knew Deron Williams was going to be a star and put up much better numbers this season...Sloan was holding him back his rookie year.
