Most Improved Player:
DJ: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo should be the only answer to this question. He went from being a rotational big to be a defensive anchor that could bring the ball up the floor and create shots for teammates. Averaging over one steal and one block per game with the ability to guard any wing or forward is extremely impressive, and Adebayo will likely only get better.
PF: Bam Adabeyo, Miami Heat
It’s painful to think about the Timberwolves refusing to trade Jimmy Butler to the Heat for a package that would have included Bam in 2018. Now Adebayo is teaming up with Butler in Miami to wreak havoc on the Eastern Conference. Bam should be in the mix for first-team all defense, and looks like he’ll be one of the best bigs in the league for years to come.
PL: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
Ingram improved his game offensively a ton over the past few seasons and he took another step further this year. He went from averaging 18 points to 24 points and has been more consistent from behind the arc. Ingram is starting to show people why he was the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
TW: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
I may be biased from listening to too much of “The Lowe Post” podcast (Zach Lowe might be the world’s biggest Adebayo fan), but I’m going with Bam. A year ago, he averaged 8.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. This year, he raised those averages to 16.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 34.3 minutes per game while continuing to play high-level defense for Miami.
NA: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
Brandan Ingram has played outstanding for the Pelicans this season. In the same amount of minutes as last season with the Lakers, Ingram has increased his scoring by 6 points per game, his rebounding by 1.1 per game, and his assists by 1.3 per game. On top of that, his 3-point shooting percentage is up from 33 percent to 39 percent this year. While Bam Adebayo and Luka Doncic have similar stat improvements from last season, I believe Adebayo’s statistical improvements can largely be attributed to significant increases in playing time, and Doncic’s scoring improvements can be attributed to higher usage rates as the focal point of the Dallas offense.
ZL: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
While all eyes have been fixed on top overall pick Zion Williamson, his teammate has been the reason for much of New Orleans’ success in 2019-20. Ingram has always had top tier potential but this season has been his true breakout year. An All-Star appearance and almost 25 PPG after being traded by LA should be reason enough to give the award to Ingram.
AJ: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
I didn’t like him on the Lakers but love him on this Pelicans team. Brandon Ingram has grown in his rule and she has really been a leader for the young Pelicans team, and his stats certainly show a vast improvement. He went from being talked about as an average forward with some injury problems to proving he is a top player in this league.
Final Tally:
Brandon Ingram (4), Bam Adebayo (3)