Even though Flip is a 2nd year player, the amount that he went forward was just sick, a bench dud to 7th in the league in scoring, I think I would grant him a pass if he stays in the high teens to 20's at the end of the year.
Yea, that's been my thoughts also. I think the biggest reason that he gets mentioned is cause he came out of absolutely nowhere, no one knew who he was or anything, and he's now taken the league by storm. He's done such extraordinary things for them this year, likewise with people like Randolph and Redd, but, what separtates him from everyone else is he came outta nowhere.
My vote goes to Ron Artest. His improvement on the offensive side of the ball has been amazing. Artest is getting his teammates involved and is still a beast on defense. He brings it every night and he has kept his temper in check, 0 technicals so far. Artest held Sprewell to 0 points in 37 minutes and has been consistent every game this year. Him and JO have led the Pacers to the best record in the NBA at 14-2, including 7-0 on the road.
Interesting is I read that a couple of scouts actually rated Murray as a bigger talent than Jay Williams going into the draft, but they preferred the fact that Williams had come out of a big college program and Murray was only playing division 2 ball, hence him getting overlooked. Couldn't agree more about Artest. His defensive game is as good as ever, but he's developed his offensive game to a level that should see him become an All-Star, and his perimeter game offensively has good through the roof improvement-wise.
Another person who I think has really shown tremendous improvement offensively is Devean George. Last year, instead of taking the open three or something, he would step inside the arc and take a 15 footer. This year, he's taking the 3, and, he's 9th in the league in 3pt%. Plus, I do believe he's shooting something like 51%. He's finally getting it going for the Lakers, and, by him finally seeming to find his stroke this year, I think this makes them even better cause they now have a 5th option. Not too mention, when Shaq is double teamed, he's the guy they've been leaving open. So, that's how think he's improved his game huge over the offseason.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Another person who I think has really shown tremendous improvement offensively is Devean George. Last year, instead of taking the open three or something, he would step inside the arc and take a 15 footer. This year, he's taking the 3, and, he's 9th in the league in 3pt%. Plus, I do believe he's shooting something like 51%. He's finally getting it going for the Lakers, and, by him finally seeming to find his stroke this year, I think this makes them even better cause they now have a 5th option. Not too mention, when Shaq is double teamed, he's the guy they've been leaving open. So, that's how think he's improved his game huge over the offseason.</div> Yeah thats who I was gonna mention. Maybe he isnt THE most improved player so far but he is lightyears ahead of where he was last year. He is finally starting to earn that big contract we gave him a couple years ago.
I was going to say Carlos Arroyo, but he didn't play enough before to actually improve from anything. LOL I say Zack Randolph, he has really stepped up and played great
So you don't want Arroyo because he didn't play before thus didn't actually improve, yet you vote for Randolph who was in practically the same boat as Arroyo?
Yes Arroyo has been injury plagued, but Randolph is in the same boat in that he didn't get as many minutes as he should have.
Well, I actually think Baller has a point. Arroyo, prior to this year, only played in 81 career games over 3 years. He averaged about 8 minutes a game over those 81 games. So, in my opinion, he never really had a chance to do anything. Never had a chance to prove himself. By the way, 44 of those games came last year.
I think that Flip Murray should be nominated as Most Improved...I never even heard of him until he played for the Sonics...I heard about him in the trade, but nothing really turned my head about him up until recently...
Flip Murray has been sensational. If he keeps this up, he should be the Most Improved Player. The big factor is IF.
Yea, if can be a very big word. But, I think, as long as he can keep it in the high teens once Ray gets back, he should be good. But, that might be hard, sharing the ball between Lewis, Allen, and Flip. But, than again, the Lakers are getting 4 future hall of famers to share the ball, so, who knows, maybe the Sonics will be able to do it with those three.
It all depends how the coaching staff use him.Will they start Murray at point guard? or will they push Shard Lewis to PF so Murray can play the 2 while Ray slides to the 3 spot.It is a difficult situation but a good one for the Sonics point of view.
I think that Flip will get it. Zach still will finish second, because for all the talk about him deserving minutes last year, this year he is earning them. Mo Cheeks saw him as a liability who might play well but often did not. That's obviously not the case this year after he stayed consistent in the summer league and preseason. Flip's numbers will definitely go down, because he's almost definitely goin to the bench when Ray gets back. Nate will probably use him in a valuable sixth man role, which has been empty since Des Mason left town. Even with a drop in numbers, to go from practically zero to something will still earn him the award. I don't see Ron Artest as really improving that much. I wouldn't put him in the top ten this season for the award. I've followed him since he was a baby bull and he and fellow rookie Elton Brand were the top two scorers on the team. He's always had the basis of an offensive game, and to go from 12, to 12 again, to like 15 and then 16 or 17 like he had last year, he's only at about 18 or 19 this year, so that's not that much of a leap. Baron is definitely playing better, but his numbers will drop in both points and assists when Mash gets back, so he'll neither have the numerical improvement for Most Improved nor the total numbers for MVP. Sad, but true, though he deserves it for almost single handedly carrying a team to near the top of the conference.
I don't like to give the award to 2nd year, 24-25 year old guys. Of course they are going to improve, its not a question. My interpretation of the award is for someone who has been decent most his career and all of a sudden has a break out year. And I dont consider 1,2,3 years being a career. I like the improvements of guys like Fred Hoiberg. But with all the stuff mentioned, I must go with Eric Dampier. The improvements he made were monster ones. He went from 6.6 rebounds to leading the entire nba in rebounds per game. The guy has become a force downlow. Also he has increased his points per game by 4. My vote, Eric Dampier.
