As the season is well underway, we have a nice indication of the main contenders for the Most Improved Player Award. Some guys have been surprising, while others have just met or exceeded expectations with their play so far this season. Whether it is former or latter, these ten players have improved in multiple facets of their games.
- 10. Dejounte Murray
- 9. Keldon Johnson
- 8. Terance Mann
- 7. Anthony Edwards
- 6. Harrison Barnes
- 5. OG Anunoby
- 4. Tyler Herro
- 3. Jordan Poole
- 2. Miles Bridges
- 1. Ja Morant
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A player’s improvements come as a result of greater experience playing in the league, more minutes, or simply hard work paying off. There are unlimited chances for players to improve their games because of the number of resources available to them in the modern age. For players with very high ceilings, there are no excuses for them to not reach their potential. That is why players such as Ben Simmons receive a lot of hate because talent alone does not equate to greatness.
Looking at the 2021-2022 season so far, ten players have stood out as improved contributors to their teams. By analyzing players’ statistics, impact, and team’s win-loss records; it becomes evident which players have gotten better at doing what they do best. These ten players may have improved their scoring or other areas of the game, and it is time to acknowledge them for their chances at winning the Most Improved Player award.
10. Dejounte Murray
2021-2022 Statistics: 17.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 8.3 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 15.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPT, 0.1 BPG
Dejounte Murray’s growth as a starting point guard has been impressive, although the Spurs’ poor record will hinder him from truly competing for the Most Improved Player award. Murray has improved as a scorer and floor general and will continue to blossom with Gregg Popovich on the sidelines.
His mid-range shot has improved and has already shown instances where creating offense is coming naturally to him. San Antonio will likely be in the lottery this year, and if Murray continues to play at a high level, it might not be long before the team starts climbing for playoff spots again. Popovich is clearly a fan of Murray’s two-way play and will continue to develop him until his nearing retirement.
9. Keldon Johnson
2021-2022 Statistics: 16.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 12.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Alongside Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson has taken big steps in his play as a forward. Johnson has started every game for the Spurs this season, averaging 16.2 PPG on 45.5% shooting from the field. Johnson’s leap in numbers has not been as great as Murray’s, but he has had some strong games this season. Not to mention, he has a chance to be a long-term starter for the Spurs franchise.
Johnson is only 22 years old and has shown incredible improvements since his rookie year. The 6’5” swingman has a solid mid-range jumper and has shown the initiative to attack the basket on the fastbreak. His three-point shot needs a lot of work, but Johnson has shown tremendous growth in only his 3rd season which is a testament to Gregg Popovich’s presence as an all-time great coach. With coach Pop likely close to retirement, Johnson better benefit from one of the best winners in NBA history.
8. Terance Mann
2021-2022 Statistics: 11.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 7.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Terance Mann’s numbers are up and his impact has been impressive with Kawhi Leonard out for the season. The Los Angeles Clippers have managed to keep afloat so far thanks to the MVP play of Paul George, but Mann has been a strong contributor off the bench. The swingman had a strong showing in the playoffs last year and has managed to improve his defense and also offensive ability.
Mann will likely never reach All-Star status, but there is no doubt he is developing into a starting-caliber swingman in the NBA. As long as he is surrounded by offensive talent including George and Leonard, Mann will always be effective thanks to his defensive abilities and improving offensive ability. Los Angeles are in survival mode without Leonard on the floor and Mann’s improvement on both ends of the floor will boost their chances of keeping a playoff spot.
7. Anthony Edwards
2021-2022 Statistics: 23.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.46SPG, 0.6 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 19.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG
The Minnesota Timberwolves could have some trouble if Karl-Anthony Towns starts demanding a trade elsewhere, but the presence of Anthony Edwards could minimize the damage. Edwards is a tremendous young player and is an extremely confident scorer from the inside and outside. The 20-year old is already averaging 23.4 PPG in his second season and has shown flashes of becoming a potential All-Star.
Even if Towns is no longer a part of the franchise in the future, Edwards is an absolute star. He is nailing 31.4% from three, 40.8% from the field and 77.4% from the free-throw line through 8 starts this season. If Minnesota can keep their core of Towns, Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell together; they could be a problem down the line.
6. Harrison Barnes
2021-2022 Statistics: 22.5 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.0 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 16.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Harrison Barnes has always been a steady performer on both ends of the court, dating back to his time with the Golden State Warriors. Barnes’ presence as a versatile forward helped Golden State play an uptempo style of play with plenty of offense, and the swingman is doing similar things with the Sacramento Kings.
Even if Sacramento is not that good, Barnes is a large part of what they do on the court. As a 6’8” forward, Barnes is a perfect stretch-four in the modern game and is nailing 43.5% from the three-point line to start the season. Averaging a career-high in PPG, Barnes is easily one of the contenders for Most Improved Player. The only issue holding him back is the incredible talent in the Western Conference, although Barnes can only worry about continuing to impact the game on both ends of the court.
5. OG Anunoby
2021-2022 Statistics: 20.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 15.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.7 BPG
The Toronto Raptors have surprised a lot of people this season, especially without the presence of their franchise player Pascal Siakam. The main reason is OG Anunoby, a versatile two-way forward. Anunoby is only 24 years old but has playoff experience thanks to the Raptors’ 2019 championship run. He has taken that experience and developed his two-way play at a very high level.
OG had a strong season last year by posting 15.9 PPG, but taking that number to over 20 PPG is very impressive especially with the type of defense he plays every game. Anunoby is a player that Toronto should absolutely build around because a 6’7” defender who can score is not easy to find in the NBA. If the Raptors can keep their core of Siakam, Anunoby, and Fred VanVleet together; there is no reason why they should not make the playoffs every season.
4. Tyler Herro
2021-2022 Statistics: 20.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.0 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.0 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 15.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Tyler Herro is clearly playing his best ball to earn a big contract, as he looks hungry to bounce back from an underwhelming season last year. After failing to take a massive step after his rookie season, Herro is finally showcasing his great offensive talent by scoring the ball at a very high level. What is particularly impressive is Herro’s shooting percentages, as he is nailing 45.8% from the field and 40.0% from the three-point line.
While Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry are all stars; it is Tyler Herro’s scoring that has helped Miami take that next level as a title contender. As things stand, the Heat have been an incredibly impressive team in the East and they will continue to improve if Herro plays like a stud coming off the bench. For Herro, averaging over 21 PPG for the entire season means he could receive the big contract he feels he is destined for.
3. Jordan Poole
2021-2022 Statistics: 18.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 12.0 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Jordan Poole came into his own last season as a role player, averaging 12.0 PPG in his second season including 35.1% from deep. The shooting guard showed confidence in getting shots up and was quite effective at spotting up for three-point shots. Playing alongside Stephen Curry has allowed Poole chances to learn from one of the greats and how to be effective as a scorer. That has manifested itself in a terrific start to the season, as Poole is averaging 18.2 PPG in 9 starts. With Klay Thompson out, Poole has stepped up and been a terrific sidekick to Curry.
Through 9 games, Poole already has more starts in the league than he did last year. The shooting guard had a great preseason and is following it up with strong performances in the regular season. Poole is averaging over 7 three-point attempts per game, and nailing 34.2%. He has more confidence getting shots up, and as he continues to learn from Steph, he will be a starting-caliber player for years to come.
2. Miles Bridges
2021-2022 Statistics: 22.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 12.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Miles Bridges always had a lot of potential because as a 6’6” forward with a lot of bounce, he could be an effective player inside and outside the paint. After averaging 12.7 PPG and 6.0 RPG last year, Bridges looks in tremendous shape by averaging 22.3 PPG and 7.4 RPG. While LaMelo Ball is generating highlights, Bridges is not far behind with his explosiveness.
The forward is nailing 34.8% of his threes and is shooting 44.7% from the field, starting all 1 games of the season. Bridges could be undersized as a power forward but has the athleticism to be effective alongside Ball and Terry Rozier. Miles Bridges would be the runaway Most Improved Player if not for one budding superstar.
1. Ja Morant
2021-2022 Statistics: 26.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
2020-2021 Statistics: 19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 7.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Ja Morant is becoming an All-Star before our eyes, and the point guard could reach superstar status in just a few years. With so much talk on the likes of LaMelo Ball and Zion Williamson being the potential faces of the NBA in due time, Morant has to be mentioned in that conversation. The explosive point guard plays like a young Russell Westbrook except for the fact that he shoots a better percentage from the outside and plays more controlled.
If Morant continues to play at his pace while improving his basketball IQ and leadership traits, we are looking at a very dominant player in due time. Morant is unstoppable in one-on-one situations and is greatly improving the way he sets his teammates up for good looks. The 22-year old star is aware of the praise he is receiving but is quick to remind people basketball is a team game and that he wants to win in Memphis. Morant has the right attitude and skills, and so far, he is the most improved star in the NBA.
