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NBA Awards Watch: Don’t forget Anthony Davis

By Brad Rowland

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the third quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hawks 115-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the third quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hawks 115-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) shoots a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) shoots a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Player

  1. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls – Butler is coming off his worst shooting month of the year in January, making just 41.7% from the field and 32.1% from three, but he has rebounded with two big-time efforts in his last two contests to reclaim his seat here. It is important to note that improvement should be measured on a full-year basis, and Butler’s 39.7% shooting performance a year ago makes his development more noticeable. This season, Butler has been the most consistent offensive player on the Chicago Bulls, and that was unthinkable just a few months ago.
  2. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors – Thompson is a better player than Butler right now in my mind, but he started from a higher baseline. That is the chief reason for the flip-flop from last week, but Thompson has been terrific, posting a 61.2% true shooting to go along with 22.7 points per game this season. Klay Thompson is the evolutionary form of a 3-and-D guy, but his creation ability has developed nicely and there are no longer defined weaknesses in his game.
  3. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat – Now that he qualifies, Hassan Whiteside has the second-highest PER in the NBA. Think about that for a moment. The 25-year-old center is averaging 18.0 points, 15.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per 36 minutes (just obscene numbers) and considering that he emerged from virtually nowhere, Whiteside’s most improved candidacy should speak for itself. He likely won’t win the award because voters will exclude him based on only 19 career NBA games prior to this season, but he’s been terrifying in the recent past.

Next: 6th Man of the Year

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