Victor Oladipo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Goran Dragic and Kevin Love are just some of the big NBA names who have won the
NBA Most Improved Player Award.
With the 2018 /19 NBA season well underway, there are a number of contenders for the 2018/19 edition of the award, here are the top 5 candidates who we think could walk away with it.
5. JaVale McGee
Image source: espn.com
JaVale McGee has become a well-known face in the NBA. After being drafted in the first round by Washington in 2008, he has featured for the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and now plays as the starting center for the LA Lakers.
In the last six seasons, McGee has been relegated to the bench for Denver, Philadelphia, Dallas and Golden State and averaged less than 20 minutes per game.
Following a string of decent performances for Golden State against Cleveland, McGee was awarded a Free Agent contract to play for the Lakers, and it seems to have been the perfect move for the center. He currently averages 21.5 minutes per game for the Lakers, and has already scored more than 200 points more this season than the whole of last season.
4. Josh Richardson
Image source: heatzone.blog
6’6
Josh Richardson has continued to grow and improve since he was drafted by the Miami Heat in the 2015 draft. So much so, that the heat extended his contract to a 4-year $42 million deal.
As previously mentioned, the shooting guard seems to get better each season. After averaging 6.6 points-per-game in his first season, 10.2 in his second, and 12.9 in his third, Richardson currently averages 17.4 points-per-game and shoots 86% from the free-throw line.
At just 25 years of age, Richardson still has an incredibly long career ahead of him. With his numbers going up season-on-season and the Heat putting more trust in him this year, he is a big contender for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
3. Zack LaVine
Image source: Chicagotribune.com
Plagued by injury early in his NBA career,
Zack LaVine has nowhere to go but up. LaVine is already averaging seven more points-per-game this season than last, with his field goal percentage 8% higher too.
His numbers have continually improved each season – with the exception of last season in which he was left on the sidelines due to injury. If LaVine can remain fit and healthy this season, he could very well be in contention for the Most Improved Player award.
2. Julius Randle
Image source: Cluctchpoints.com
Julius Randle was drafted 7
th overall by the Lakers in 2014, but only featured in one game for 14 minutes for the Los Angeles side. Fast-forward to this season, and Randle is shooting the lights out.
Averaging 20.1 points-per-game, four points more per game than the whole of last season, the move to the Pelicans has proved to be a good one for the power forward. With 25 double-doubles and a single triple-double to his name, Randle is thriving in New Orleans.
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Keeping himself free of injury and in the starting lineup will be important for Randle as he remains in contention for the Most Improved Player award. You can’t help but think that the guidance of Alvin Gentry at the Pelicans will go a long way in helping the 24-year-old win the award.
1. Pascal Siakam
Image source: Raptorshq.com
Drafted as a late first-round pick by the Raptors in 2016,
Pascal Siakam is probably leading the pack in the race for the Most Improved Player award.
After starting just five games last season – 33 games less than the 2016/17 season – Siakam has started all but one game this season. Although he doesn’t have the highest average points-per-game at 16.3, it is still a lot higher than his previous two seasons where he averaged just 4.2 and 7.3 points-per-game respectively.
The 6’9 power forward has a knack of shutting his opponents out off the board, averaging seven rebounds per game. Siakam has continued to grow and work his way up the pecking order in a strong Raptors side. If not this season, Siakam will be a shoe-in for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
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