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NBA Award Watch: James Harden rises to the top

By John Buhler

Mar 28, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) argues a call while playing against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) argues a call while playing against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts to a foul call in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Bucks defeated the Hornets 118-108. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts to a foul call in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Bucks defeated the Hornets 118-108. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo

NBA MVP will end up stealing most of the award’s season headlines, but we do have an interesting race for Most Improved Player. Will voters end up going with Milwaukee Bucks point forward Giannis Antetokounmpo or Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic?

Both players would be great and well-deserved selections for the award, but this one is going down to the wire. It could hinge on how the Bucks and the Nuggets finish in their respective standings. Milwaukee has played well of late and look like a No. 6 to No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Denver is battling with Northwest Division rival Portland for the No. 8 seed in the West.

Since Milwaukee has a better shot at making the playoffs and finishing the year with a winning record, Antetokounmpo has now taken back his place as the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Earning a starting spot in the 2017 NBA All-Star is huge for his candidacy, but missing the Eastern Conference Playoffs would be unacceptable for a player of his stature to be named Most Improved.

At times this season, Antetokounmpo has flexed borderline, top-15 talent in the league. His jump shooting may never arrive, but the rest of his NBA game is silky smooth. If and when the Bucks lock up a playoff spot, Antetokounmpo should do the same thing with Most Improved Player.

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