NBA Awards Watch: The two-way greatness of Kawhi Leonard

Most Improved Player

1. C.J. McCollum, PG/SG Portland Trail Blazers – This award often doubles as the “player who makes a huge increase in production based on a huge increase in minutes” honor, and McCollum actually qualifies. For as much as that trend is bothersome to those who cover the sport closely, McCollum is actually a deserving winner based on his actual play rather than simple volume. The talented guard began to “break out” down the stretch of last season, but he is putting up career-bests virtually across the board in his third season. In addition to averaging 20.7 points per game, McCollum’s efficiency (54.1 TS% with a PER over 18) has also improved, and he is a bonafide stud alongside Damian Lillard in Portland.
2. Kent Bazemore, SG/SF Atlanta Hawks – Remember when the Hawks were supposed to miss DeMarre Carroll? Bazemore isn’t quite the player that Carroll was during his “prime” in Atlanta, but the left-handed swingman has filled in admirably. Bazemore has put forth career-highs in scoring (16.0 points per 36 min), PER (16.3) and true shooting (59.2%), and he provides a quality athletic presence on the wing for Mike Budenholzer and company. Because he will never unleash big-time numbers in a cumulative sense, it is doubtful that Bazemore will win the award, but his improvement has been notable.
3. Andre Drummond, C Detroit Pistons – Drummond won’t win because he was already too good a year ago. However, there is no arguing against 18.2 points and 16.0 rebounds per game, and even when breaking down in his per-minute numbers, this has been the best season of Drummond’s career. Drummond isn’t a perfect player, as he still struggles with post-up offense, but his finishing and rebounding are incredible and his defensive improvement is real as well.

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