JC Ansis: Throughout the season, a lot of players have made their respective cases for the Most Improved Player award. In the beginning, it seemed like Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets was the runaway favorite (ask fantasy owners and they would attest to that). But as the season went along, different names popped up. Anfernee Simons and Dejounte Murray both had their brief moments. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been noisy this season because Darius Garland has been playing insane basketball.
But the one guy, for me, who has shown improvement across the board all year long and, at the same time, has helped navigate his team to a winning record is Ja Morant. The guy just won Rookie of the Year a couple of years ago and now he’s an All-Star and getting included in MVP conversations. That alone says a lot. Stats show how much Morant has improved in certain facets but when you watch him play, you can tell he’s slowly getting a better understanding of the game and how he can dominate in different ways.
From being just an entertaining player to now an elite star, Morant is the biggest reason behind the Memphis Grizzlies’ meteoric rise in the loaded West.
Polo Bustamante: Darius Garland’s trajectory has been on the upward trend throughout his 3-year NBA career. He started out as a solid rookie learning the ropes with a young Cavs team. He avoided a sophomore slump to become a very respectable starting point guard. His rise continued this year when he earned a spot in the 2022 All-Star Game.
Garland’s numbers speak for themselves. He increased his scoring from 17.4 PPG to 21.6 PPG this year. His assist numbers also showcased how good he is as a floor leader, upping his average from 6.1 APG to 8.6 APG this season. These aren’t just empty stats as well. Garland has been a big-time player for a Cleveland team fighting for a playoff spot in the competitive East.
The biggest number that he’s brought to the table can be seen in the win column. The Cavs have won 21 more games with Garland leading the way. He’s brought a much-needed consistency to a Cleveland team that’s had several key players in and out of their rotation. Without Garland, the Cavs might have found themselves in more familiar territory: back in the lottery.
Migs Flores: Let me tell you about a story of a brave man who joined seven head-to-head fantasy leagues this season. He quickly found out he was in-over-his-head as the weeks came by and the matchups got more and more complicated.
There was one saving grace decision this man made throughout all his leagues: draft Desmond Bane. In leagues with hardcore fantasy guys, he got Bane in the early 100s. In leagues that were a bit more casual, he got Bane with his final pick of the draft. No one believed that Memphis' former second-string guard would make a leap.
Bane ended up averaging 18.3 points on 46.2 percent shooting with 3.0 triples, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 turnovers per game. He turned out to be the steal of the fantasy season, finishing as the 25th ranked player in Yahoo! leagues.
The man in this story was me. I believed in Desmond Bane right from the start and he got me two fantasy championships and a runner-up finish along with several top-fives. He got me my pixel trophies. He deserves to go home with his own IRL trophy.
Charmie Lising: If we’re talking about a player who has taken his game to a whole ‘nother level, then there’s no better bet than Ja Morant. His stunning growth this season quickly propelled him into the elite ranks of the NBA. In just his third year in the league, Morant has transformed into an All-Star starter and MVP candidate. More importantly, he took his team with him in his rise to stardom. From barely making the playoffs last year, the Grizzlies are poised to make a deep postseason run, comfortably sitting at No. 2 in the West.
Morant tops the league in points in the paint with 16.8 per game, ahead of former MVPs Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He puts up career-high averages of 27.6 PPG (from 19.1 last season) on 49.3 percent field goal shooting, 5.7 RPG, and 1.2 SPG. He’s a lot more explosive and unstoppable now, and the Grizzlies’ record further strengthens his MIP case. Probably the only narrative going against him is that he just won Rookie of the Year two years ago.
Jon Carlos Rodriguez: By now, we all know about what Desmond Bane can bring to the table (see above). Consistent points, efficient 3s, elite off-position rebounding, some steals, and a lot of fantasy basketball goodness.
Another thing that Bane brings to the table—and this won’t show in any stat sheet—is his Hall of Fame-level villainy. He has the ominous name that would make Batman shake. He has biceps that look less sophomore guard and more WWE heel.
He also has his own standing-up-to-LeBron moment, which is quite rare for young players to get and walk away from with their souls intact. It happened in a game where LeBron James didn’t appreciate all the talk that Bane and the Memphis Grizzlies were dishing out.
James tried to catch up on defense, Bane hit a wide-open 3, then said this to The King: “Them footsteps ain’t scaring nobody.” Bane won’t win the Most Improved Player award because of that, but he definitely should.
Yoyo Sarmenta: Ever since the vaunted Big 3 of the Spurs retired, San Antonio has been looking for a star. As much as the Spurs preach about team play and ball movement, you still need a guy to carry and lead you. You have to have a focal point that will make everything click.
Enter Dejounte Murray’s 2021-2022 season. Maybe we’ve been desensitized with triple-doubles but this guy has been racking up gaudy numbers all year. Through 67 games so far, he’s averaging 21.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 9.3 assists. For comparison, he put up 15.7 points, 7.1 boards, and only 5.4 dimes a season ago. Not only is he averaging career numbers in points, rebounds, and assists, but also in field goal shooting, 3-point makes, free throws, and steals. Murray’s elevated play has led him to the All-Star Game in Cleveland and the Spurs into the Play-In Tournament.
There’s a rhythm and confidence to Murray’s game that’s rare for 25-year-olds in the league. Give him the MIP award and watch him become the best Spurs guard since Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
Raine Ticzon: It would be ridiculous to think that the Most Improved Player is the reigning league MVP, but there’s an actual case to make.
Nikola Jokic’s numbers improved drastically this year compared to the last. He is averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists this season. Jokic also made history by becoming the first player with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a SINGLE season.
Not to mention his role on the team increased drastically this year. Without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Jokic single-handedly led the Nuggets to a playoff spot with a record of above .500 (48-33). Alone.
While being the MVP and MIP may be overkill, credit should be given to the guy who keeps improving despite receiving the highest individual honor the league can offer.
