POLL: Who are your Most Improved Players so far?

[NovU]

You can choose up to 2.

[Andrew]

C.J. McCollum. He's getting a chance to really play, and he's making the most of it. For the most part, he's topping the Per 36 numbers from his first couple of seasons too.

[benji]

Has Giannis really improved over last season? Same with Rodney Hood.

I've always been reluctant about this award being given to guys at age 22-ish/third season (its rare that players don't improve by then) and post age 28. (Fluke Rule.) As compared to guys who were dead in the water useless and turned themselves into competent rotation players like Joel Pryzbilla or Roger Mason. Jeremy Lamb and Otto Potter are affected by this.

I'll still not convinced that Reggie Jackson's three point shooting isn't a fluke and he'll crater back to normal any day now.

McCollum's probably got this thing on lock considering his jump from 7ppg to 21ppg. He's a third year player, but also 24.

Gary Harris was so garbage last year it's hard to believe he couldn't improve, he's still only 21.

I think Aminu really established himself last year more than this season, and he's been fairly consistent over the last three years, except for adding that three point shot this year.

Kawhi Leonard has been a bit overlooked I think. 19/8/3 with 35% threes to 23/8/3 with 49% threes. 22 PER to 26.9 PER. .567 TS to .623. 113 ORtg to 123. Cut his turnovers by 25%. BPM from 6 to 9. Already has 7.7 WS, the same number he had in 2013-14, and last season he had 8.6. .310 WS/48 vs .204 WS/48 last year.

Draymond Green's big leap was last year, but he's taken everything he added to new levels. More threes, far more assists, triple doubles, etc.

Ian Mahinmi is quietly having a good year in the middle, same with Zaza Pachulia. Though both are of higher ages.

There's Dellavedova actually becoming a starter quality player too. Jon Leuer paying off on that Hollinger love in more "legit" minutes.

[NovU]

I have to admit I overlooked Kawhi and Green.

It's kinda crazy there are claims out there Kawhi being the MVP too. He's the most important player on both ends of the floor for this great Spurs team. But Curry still should win it imo. Nobody has done what Curry has done before especially as a PG. Has anyone checked out his PER? He has a real chance to beat Wilt. Wilt Chalmberlain.

[mp3]

Other...

Will Barton!

[NovU]

Too bad for The Thrill, the Nuggets prioritize development of pair of kics in Jokic and Nurkic and Mudiay. I have a feeling Barton's number will take a hit big time going forward unless injuries come to rescue him.

[Kevin]

Kawhi won't win MIP since he'll probably be running for MVP anyways. Draymond Green (and McCollum) for me because this guy just comes out of nowhere from the 2nd round of the draft.

Going to say this again, Giannis just looks "good" on where he stands in the NBA because of the vines, not his all-around play.

[benji]

Giannis is pretty good, but he hasn't really improved much over last year to where I'd consider him Most Improved, especially with some of the other names here.

Barton is a good one. Seems silly to have forgotten.

I'd only really compare Curry's PER to post-1979 players to be honest, the estimates pre-1974 don't sit right with me. It's still freakish.
Curry 2015-16: 31.8
LeBron 2008-09: 31.7
Jordan 1987-88: 31.7
LeBron 2012-13: 31.6
Jordan 1990-91: 31.6
Jordan 1989-90: 31.2

Point guards:
Chris Paul 2008-09: 30.0
Westbrook 2015-16: 29.8
Westbrook 2014-15: 29.1
Paul 2007-08: 28.3
Curry 2014-15: 28.0
Magic 1986-87: 27.0

And WS/48:
Curry 2015-16: .337
LeBron 2012-13: .322
Jordan 1990-91: .321

His Offensive Box Score Plus/Minus is nuts too:
Curry 2015-16: +11.9
Jordan 1987-88: +9.8
Jordan 1988-89: +9.8
McGrady 2002-03: +9.8
LeBron 2009-10: +9.7
Jordan 1989-90: +9.7
Curry 2014-15: +9.6

[stereoxide]

If McCollum keeps this up until the end of the season the MIP award is in his bag no doubt.

[NovU]

I'd only really compare Curry's PER to post-1979 players to be honest, the estimates pre-1974 don't sit right with me. It's still freakish.
Curry 2015-16: 31.8
LeBron 2008-09: 31.7
Jordan 1987-88: 31.7
LeBron 2012-13: 31.6
Jordan 1990-91: 31.6
Jordan 1989-90: 31.2

Point guards:
Chris Paul 2008-09: 30.0
Westbrook 2015-16: 29.8
Westbrook 2014-15: 29.1
Paul 2007-08: 28.3
Curry 2014-15: 28.0
Magic 1986-87: 27.0

And WS/48:
Curry 2015-16: .337
LeBron 2012-13: .322
Jordan 1990-91: .321

His Offensive Box Score Plus/Minus is nuts too:
Curry 2015-16: +11.9
Jordan 1987-88: +9.8
Jordan 1988-89: +9.8
McGrady 2002-03: +9.8
LeBron 2009-10: +9.7
Jordan 1989-90: +9.7
Curry 2014-15: +9.6

Looks like his numbers came down a bit due to the injury he's suffered lately. He was doing something like 34 PER and .360 WS/48 at one point this season. Still, Curry's amazing for a guy who isn't even half the freak of nature to his peers.

Kawhi has some stiff competition if he's ever gonna win a MVP since the Warriors seems to be in a dynasty mode for years to come.