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NBA Awards Watch: Golden State Runs the Table

By Brad Rowland

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) backs down on Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) backs down on Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Player

  1. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls – Butler takes the crown for the second consecutive week, and he continues to be the brightest spot on the wing for the Bulls, even with Derrick Rose healthy and a prominent part of the lineup. The 25-year-old Butler was best known for his defensive abilities prior to this season, and they are still prevalent, but now, the former Marquette star is lighting it up offensively, as he proved with another 22-point, 9-rebound effort against Atlanta on Monday evening. For the season, Butler is averaging 20.8 points per game on 48% shooting, and because that seems sustainable, it speaks highly of his improvement across the board.
  2. Marreese Speights, Golden State Warriors – Finally, we have a member of the Golden State Warriors who does not sit atop the rankings for a particular award. The 27-year-old Speights has long held the reputation of a player who did not bring much to the table outside of pure offense, but he has rounded out his game while simultaneously exploding in the shot-making category. Speights is averaging 25.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per 36 minutes (12 points, 5.2 rebounds per game) on the strength of 53.2% shooting on nearly 20 attempts per 36, and that production speaks for itself. You won’t find anyone who thinks that this level of play is sustainable, but he has come a long way in attempting to shed his previous reputation as a bit player.
  3. Shabazz Muhammad, Minnesota Timberwolves – After a very ugly rookie season in which he appeared in only 37 games, Shabazz Muhammad is beginning to resemble an NBA player. Yes, he is still a one-dimensional asset in that he likes to shoot and score (17.5 FGA per 36 minutes), but the former UCLA product is now averaging 12 points per game on better than 50% shooting. It will be interesting to see how Muhammad’s already reduced playing time (18.7 minutes per contest) is impacted as Minnesota gets healthy, but now 22-year-old suddenly appears to be useful.

Next: 6th Man of the Year

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