The most improved player of the year conversation is really one to talk about this year, with many examples of players who deserve to win it. players that worked harder than others to make a big jump in their game, definitely deserve an award, and I'm here to talk about the top 10 and go in depth with the top 5. stick around till the end to see the final list!
Players 6-10:
Clint Capela
Colin Sexton
Terry Rozier
Jaylen Brown
Shai Gilgeous Alexander
Zach LaVine
LaVine, who has been out for a few games due to the NBA's health and safety protocols, is on track to become the first Bulls player to average 25 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. Even Michael Jordan couldn't do it, which isn't surprising given that 3-point shooting was never MJ's strong suit, nor was it for anyone else during his generation. LaVine joined Jordan, Jimmy Butler, Jamal Crawford, and Chet Walker as the fifth player in Bulls history to score 50 points in a game earlier this season.
Julius Randle
Randle should not only win the Most Improved Player Award by a landslide, but he should also be in the running for the Most Valuable Player Award, particularly if his Knicks finish in the top four in the Eastern Conference. The 6-foot-8, 250-pounder has emerged as one of the NBA's most versatile players, ranking seventh in isolation scoring, first among non-guards, fourth in post-up scoring, and fifth, yes fifth, in 3-point percentage among players who have started in at least 50 games. He also has a six-assist per-game average, which is three more than last season. He scored 30-plus points six times and 40-plus points twice during New York's recent nine-game winning streak.
Michael Porter Jr
The 6-foot-10, 218-pounder has exploded after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, just as some hoped he would. Remember, he would have been the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 if not for a back injury in college, so it's no wonder he's on the rising. Porter has scored 20 points or more in six of Denver's first seven games since Murray's injury, and 30 points or more in two of them, including 39 points against the Rockets on April 24.
Christian Wood
An unsigned player hasn't averaged 20 points or more since Mike James did it for the Toronto Raptors in 2005-06. Wood, who is currently scoring 21.0 points per game, has a chance to become the next player to achieve this rare feat. The 6-foot-10, 214-pounder has posted 30-plus points twice this season, including 31 on Dec. 26 against Portland.
Jerami Grant
Grant scored 20 points or more 25 times in his first six NBA seasons, while playing for three different teams. His career high was 29 points. In his first season with the Pistons, he has scored 20 points or more 35 times, including a game-high 43 points against the Bulls on Feb. 17. More opportunities are one simple explanation for his 10-point-per-game rise. He's averaging nine more shots per game than he did in his only season in Denver last year. Despite not shooting great percentages, the 6-foot-8, 210-pounder has developed into one of the league's most well-rounded players, ranking fourth in spot-up points and seventh in points off handoffs.
If you've read this far, I'm guessing you wanna see the final list. Well, here it is:
10: Colin Sexton
9: Clint Capela
8: Terry Rozier
7: Jaylen Brown
6: Shai Gilgeous Alexander
5: Michael Porter Jr
4: Christian Wood
3: Zach LaVine
2: Jerami Grant
and my pick for NBA MIP this year goes to...
1: Julius Randle