Dunking With Wolves
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2017-18 NBA Award Predictions: Donovan Mitchell wins Rookie of the Year

By Trey Flynn

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz speaks with the media after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz speaks with the media after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Victor Oladipo attends the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Victor Oladipo attends the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

Victor Oladipo surprises all of his naysayers from prior seasons with a remarkable 2017-18 regular season. Oladipo lead the Pacers to their best season since 2014, pushing them to the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference.

Although Oladipo and his Pacers lost in the 1st round, they were one game away from defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7.

Oladipo finished his season with 23.7 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.4 steals (leading the NBA). Oladipo didn’t put up any numbers close to this with his time in Oklahoma City and Orlando, not even close.

What you can tell from this video is that we may be witnessing the birth of a Dwyane Wade type player.

After finishing his first All-Star season, this Most Improved Player award is just the beginning for Oladipo. I would expect him to continue his dominance and help his team get deeper in the playoffs, while pursuing a future MVP award.

Oladipo would be beating out Clint Capela and Spencer Dinwiddie for the MPOY, but the only realistic votes that would not go to Oladipo would be to Capela – who has a good case for any other year against any other player.

Spencer Dinwiddie made his case for a greater contract that gives him more consistency with the Brooklyn Nets, but nothing besides that.

Timberwolves Most Improved Player of the Year:

When everyone counted Taj Gibson out, Tom Thibodeau was there to help him out, but I don’t even think Thibs knew how much Taj had left in his tank.

Gibson seemed to blow up under the Chicago system of Thibs, almost like he’s been sleeping for a few years in between his time with Chicago and Minnesota. You could argue that Gibson’s statistics were the best he’s seen in his career, or at least his best since 2014 and his good year with Derrick Rose.

Not only his numbers, but Gibsons resiliency was inspiring to the rest of the lineup and franchise. He ended up playing and starting in all 82 games including the post-season. Therefore helping Jimmy Butler create the kind of foundation they had with the Chicago Bulls.