NBA Awards Watch: Should Anthony Davis be in the MVP hunt?

Most Improved Player

Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors – The fact that Klay Thompson is a nearly unanimous choice for “second-best shooting guard in the NBA” honors says it all. Anyone who made that distinction a year ago would have been severely misplaced, as Thompson was little more than a high-end 3-and-D option for the Warriors under Mark Jackson. Now, Thompson is averaging a career-best 21.7 points per game on 58.7 true shooting percentage, and his offense comes easier with the threat of the bounce and the ability to make others better. The jump from good to great is perhaps the most difficult, and Thompson has been able to do that this season.

Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls – Butler has missed the past five games with an elbow injury, and that has potentially cost him this particular award. In fairness, the swingman shouldn’t be punished for injury, but given the neck-and-neck status of the race with Thompson, it is fair to take the player who has seen more time on the floor. Butler’s jump to a 20.2-point per game scorer has been impressive, but his efficiency (46.2% FG, 35.1% 3-PT) has been the real story, and Chicago has unearthed a legitimate star after many pinned him as only a defensive stopper a year ago.

Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz – A career-best usage rate of 25.3% can be attributed for some of Hayward’s bump in his fifth season, but the former Butler star has been able to improve his efficiency despite the increase in emphasis, and that is wildly impressive. Hayward is averaging 19.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game (nearing that mythical 20-5-5 territory) while putting up a 57.0% true shooting, and he is the centerpiece of a team that has taken significant strides. The Jazz are coming on strong as winners of seven of their last ten games, and Hayward is their catalyst offensively.

Next: 6th Man of the Year