Way Too Early NBA Predictions: Most Improved Player
The second award I want to look at much too soon is the Most Improved Player award. Last season, we saw CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers earn himself the title of most improved when four of Portland's starting five changed teams. The league saw the third year man out of Lehigh saw his points per game jump from 6.8 to 20.8 as his minutes doubled. That and more led to his 106 million dollar extension that he earned yesterday.
So who's next? Breakout players are always fun to watch and as NBA fans, we usually end up rooting for them in the long run. Here's who I think could have much improved seasons in the 2016-17 season.
3: Serge Ibaka
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
After being traded by the only team he's played for in his seven year career to a young team in the Orlando Magic, Ibaka is going to have a much larger role than he ever has. In his first few seasons with the Thunder, Ibaka showed promise being the fourth option behind Harden, Westbrook, and Durant. Then when Harden left his stats jumped a little bit, then began to slide again with some injury issues in 2015. It's difficult for players with a tenure as long as Ibaka's to earn that most improved player award, but on a team like the Magic he could put up 18 points and 10 boards along with 2 blocks per night. It's a it of a crowded front court with young stud Aaron Gordon (will likely slide to the SF), new signee Bismack Biyombo, Nikola Vucevic (could be traded), and now Ibaka, but if the Magic are smart, they'll find a way for Ibaka to be the main piece there. Even though he's been around for 7 seasons, he's only 26, and with a coach like Frank Vogel and without as strong of players as he was stuck behind in OKC, Ibaka could turn into a dominant power forward in Orlando.
2: Harrison Barnes
Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Could there be a little bias here? Sure, but I truly believe that Harrison Barnes is poised for a breakout season with the Dallas Mavericks. Barnes has been in the league 4 years and, and like Ibaka, has been stuck behind really strong players in Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Each year, however, he has steadily improved his statistics, but this next year should be different. Last season, Barnes averaged 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. In a system with Dallas in which he could be the first option by the end of the year, all three of those stats should see a major spike. His ceiling, in my mind, is up to 20 points per game, 6 boards, and somewhere around 3-4 assists since the ball will be in his hands much more often. He's an explosive athlete, a Jimmy Butler level defender, and is slowly improving his three point shot. With guys like Wes Matthews, Dirk, and Deron Williams around him, the floor should be very well spaced for Barnes to get excellent looks this next season. As Mavs fans, we can only hope that he hits that ceiling.
1: Dennis Schröder
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Definitely one of my favorite non-Mavericks in the NBA, Dennis Schröder really began to prove himself off the bench for Atlanta last season. Behind Jeff Teague, Schröder scored 11 points per game, dished out 4.4 assists, and proved to be one of the best defensive point guards in the game, even not being a starter. Well, now Jeff Teague has been traded to Indiana (great trade for Indy btw), and Schröder will now be the number one man in Atlanta. I thought Atlanta was going to go into rebuild mode after trading Teague and losing Horford, but they ended up having a very nice lineup. With Schröder as their starting point guard, Kyle Korver at the 2 slot, Bazemore at small forward, All-Star Paul Millsap at the power forward, and newcomer Dwight Howard holding down the middle, the Hawks will likely be playoff contenders in the east once again. I can see Dennis' stats taking a nice leap up into the 17-18 range along with at least 6 assists all while turning into one of the best defensive players in the game. He's only 22, so this makes him the perfect candidate for this award.
