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NBA Awards Watch: The Final Ballot

By Brad Rowland

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 29: Stephen Curry at ORACLE Arena on March 29, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 29: Stephen Curry at ORACLE Arena on March 29, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 18: C.J. McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles the ball around Toney Douglas #16 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 18, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 18: C.J. McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles the ball around Toney Douglas #16 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 18, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Most Improved Player

  1. C.J. McCollum, SG Portland Trail Blazers – Before we begin, I hate the Most Improved Player award. It isn’t the fault of any candidate, but the criteria is insanely vague, leading to a sharp divide between voters and what everyone is actually looking for in a player. With that in mind, I don’t think it is insane to vote for C.J. McCollum in the top spot, and I think he will win the award. McCollum has a very “traditional” MIP profile in that he exploded this year out of relative obscurity. NBA diehards will remember that he came on late last season and into the playoffs, but McCollum averaged 6.8 points per game a year ago and was largely a non-factor during the regular campaign. This season, McCollum upped his production to 21.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, and while some of that was surely due to a minutes jump, he was more efficient (career bests in PER and TS%) than ever before despite carrying a heavier usage load. This award probably shouldn’t be all about production, but it helps to see that quantifiable jump and he boasts it this year.
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF/PF/PG Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis truly is a freak. We all knew that the leap would eventually arrive for the “Greek Freak”, and the time has come. His production jumped considerably, peaking at 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game for the season, and Antetokounmpo managed to increase his efficiency (18.8 PER, 56.6% TS) despite a heightened workload. Milwaukee utilized him as the primary ball handler down the stretch with positive results, and even his defense is coming around as he uses his ridiculously long and athletic frame to deter opponents. Again, he is a very “traditional” candidate for this award, but that doesn’t make Giannis any less worthy of recognition.
  3. Ian Mahinmi, C Indiana Pacers – At the age of 29, Mahinmi just completed the best season of his career by a huge margin, and that is a lot of fun. The big man was always known for his defense, and that fact remains, as he is devastating on that end of the floor near the rim, with the mobility to effectively switch on to guards in the pick-and-roll. Offensively, though, is where Mahinmi made his charge here. He averaged 9.3 points per game (on 60.3% true shooting) and really developed into a solid finisher for the Pacers. Mahinmi will never be an offensive force, but he has transitioned into being a capable passer and an actual asset on the offensive end. This award is silly in that a million more guys deserve consideration, but I was partial to his jump in play because it absolutely came out of nowhere.

Next: 6th Man of the Year

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