Early Candidates for 2014 NBA Most Improved Player
By Michael Schneid
The NBA Draft has become all about potential. Some players don't reach their potential right away, if ever. Some recent high lottery picks among some other late bloomers are on our early list of players to watch during the 2013-14 NBA season. These following players will be candidates for Most Improved Player at the end of the year, an award won by Paul George in 2013.
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Butler really rose to the occasion in the playoffs. After playing just 26 mpg, Butler averaged 8.6 ppg and 4 rpg. But in 12 playoffs games, Butler played 40 minutes per game increasing his scoring average to 13.3 ppg and 5.2 rpg. Butler's strength though is his defense. He will enter the season as the Bulls starter at shooting guard and should see a bigger increase in numbers from the playoffs. Butler was the Bulls most consistent player playing all 82 games, in a season plagued by injuries.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Like Butler, Leonard broke out during playoffs, especially the Finals. Leonard averaged 14.6 ppg and 11.1 rpg in the NBA finals and defended Lebron James as well as one could. Noone can stop Lebron, but he did a fine job of containing him. Leonard really showed his potential at times and has a chance to continue to shine. With Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili only under contract for two more years, Leonard could very well be the future face of the Spurs franchise.
Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic
Harris was a part of the dreadful MIL-ORL deadline deal this past year that netted the Bucks JJ Reddick. In 28 games wit the Bucks, Harris played just 11.6 mpg and scored 4.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg. After the trade, in 27 games (while starting 20), Harris played 30.1 mpg and averaged 17.3 mpg, and 8.5 rpg. Harris is now part of a solid young core in Orlando that includes Nikola Vucevic, Mo Harkless, and Victor Oladipo. If he can replicate the success he had after the trade from Milwaukee, the Magic rebuilding process will move a lot quicker than people thought.
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
After averaging 10 points, 7 rebounds per game in one season at Uconn, Drummond was picked 9th by the Pistons. He played just 20 minutes per game and averaged 8 points, 7 rebounds per. He dominated the summer league competition in Orlando and has put on more muscle. Detroit hired veteran coach Mo Cheeks, who will surely get the most out of Drummond. Assistant coach Rasheed Wallace should also help his development.
John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks
Patrick Beverly, Houston Rockets
The Rockets reportedly shopped Jeremy Lin around the time they agree to terms with Dwight Howard. With or without Lin, Beverly could end up starter at PG in 2013. Beverly's PER 36 minute stats are 11.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 steals. Lin had a decent 2012-13 season but Beverly is poised to breakout in a more fast paced, shooting-friendly offense.
Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns
Finally out of the shadow of Chris Paul, Bledsoe has a chance at more
playing time and bigger numbers on a much less star-studded team. New
coach Jeff Hornacek has already stated publicly his intent to run and
play fast and Bledsoe is one of the fastest PGs in the NBA. The former
first rounder averaged 8.5 ppg and just 3.1 apg but the big number is
that he played just 20.4 minutes per game, a number that should rise by
at least 10 mpg in 2013-14.
Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers
The NBA Draft has become all about potential. Some players don't reach their potential right away, if ever. Some recent high lottery picks among some other late bloomers are on our early list of players to watch during the 2013-14 NBA season. These following players will be candidates for Most Improved Player at the end of the year, an award won by Paul George in 2013.
Jonas Valančiūnas, Toronto Raptors
Valanciunas was the 5th pick in 2011 draft. He played in Europe in 2011 and debuted
last season averaging 8.9 pg, 6.0 rpg and 1.3 bpg in 23.9 minutes per
game. In the summer league he averaged 18.8 pts, 10.0 reb, 0.8 blk in
29.1 min per game. He was also named Summer League MVP in Las Vegas.
With Andrea Bargnani gone and Rudy Gay with the teams for a full season,
Valanciunas has a chance to shine with the Raptors in 2013 and beyond. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Butler really rose to the occasion in the playoffs. After playing just 26 mpg, Butler averaged 8.6 ppg and 4 rpg. But in 12 playoffs games, Butler played 40 minutes per game increasing his scoring average to 13.3 ppg and 5.2 rpg. Butler's strength though is his defense. He will enter the season as the Bulls starter at shooting guard and should see a bigger increase in numbers from the playoffs. Butler was the Bulls most consistent player playing all 82 games, in a season plagued by injuries.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Like Butler, Leonard broke out during playoffs, especially the Finals. Leonard averaged 14.6 ppg and 11.1 rpg in the NBA finals and defended Lebron James as well as one could. Noone can stop Lebron, but he did a fine job of containing him. Leonard really showed his potential at times and has a chance to continue to shine. With Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili only under contract for two more years, Leonard could very well be the future face of the Spurs franchise.
Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic
Harris was a part of the dreadful MIL-ORL deadline deal this past year that netted the Bucks JJ Reddick. In 28 games wit the Bucks, Harris played just 11.6 mpg and scored 4.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg. After the trade, in 27 games (while starting 20), Harris played 30.1 mpg and averaged 17.3 mpg, and 8.5 rpg. Harris is now part of a solid young core in Orlando that includes Nikola Vucevic, Mo Harkless, and Victor Oladipo. If he can replicate the success he had after the trade from Milwaukee, the Magic rebuilding process will move a lot quicker than people thought.
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
After averaging 10 points, 7 rebounds per game in one season at Uconn, Drummond was picked 9th by the Pistons. He played just 20 minutes per game and averaged 8 points, 7 rebounds per. He dominated the summer league competition in Orlando and has put on more muscle. Detroit hired veteran coach Mo Cheeks, who will surely get the most out of Drummond. Assistant coach Rasheed Wallace should also help his development.
MarShon Brooks, Boston Celtics
Brooks is now with the Celtics after being part of the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets. Brooks averaged 12.6 ppg playing just under 30 mpg as a rookie in 2011. When the Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012, it was almost as if they left Brooks in NJ. He only averaged 12.5 minutes per game in 2012 and averaged 5.4 ppg. In Boston, there should be more minutes and more shots for Brooks, similar to his rookie season in 2011.
Brooks is now with the Celtics after being part of the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets. Brooks averaged 12.6 ppg playing just under 30 mpg as a rookie in 2011. When the Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012, it was almost as if they left Brooks in NJ. He only averaged 12.5 minutes per game in 2012 and averaged 5.4 ppg. In Boston, there should be more minutes and more shots for Brooks, similar to his rookie season in 2011.
Austin Rivers, New Orleans Pelicans
After being picked 10th overall, Rivers had a very rough
rookie season, averaging just over 6 ppg, 2 apg, shooting 37% from the
field. Pressure is off now with Rivers coming off the bench behind Eric
Gordon, Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday. Rivers should be able to learn
something from those three and continue his development in an upward
trend.
Larry
Sanders was the break out star in 2013 for the Bucks and Henson has a
chance to be in 2014. Sanders was actually the MIP award runner up in
2013. Henson was the 14th pick in 2012 and averaged 6.0 ppg and 4.7 rpg
in just 13 mpg. His minutes per game should increase in 2013-14. His PER
36 minutes stats were 16.5 ppg and 12.9 rpg.
The Rockets reportedly shopped Jeremy Lin around the time they agree to terms with Dwight Howard. With or without Lin, Beverly could end up starter at PG in 2013. Beverly's PER 36 minute stats are 11.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 steals. Lin had a decent 2012-13 season but Beverly is poised to breakout in a more fast paced, shooting-friendly offense.
Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns
Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers
Waiters was the fourth
overall pick in 2012. He has actually struggled in the summer league a
little bit but if he can shoot with more accuracy, he can be a dangerous
scorer for the Cavs. It will also help his cause if he stays healthy.
Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, Utah Jazz
With Jefferson and Milsap gone in Utah, Favors will be the main beneficiary of more playing time (23 mpg in 2012), more rebounds (7 rpg) and point (9 ppg) down low for the Jazz. Favors is entering his third season, after being traded to Utah for Deron Williams.
Enes Kanter has had a rather underwhelming career thus far, but like Favors has a chance to benefit from a likely increase of his 15 mpg in 2012-13.
Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, Utah Jazz
With Jefferson and Milsap gone in Utah, Favors will be the main beneficiary of more playing time (23 mpg in 2012), more rebounds (7 rpg) and point (9 ppg) down low for the Jazz. Favors is entering his third season, after being traded to Utah for Deron Williams.
Enes Kanter has had a rather underwhelming career thus far, but like Favors has a chance to benefit from a likely increase of his 15 mpg in 2012-13.
Who do you think can break out in 2013-14? Share your thoughts below or tweet us @msschneid
I think if former Lawrence North High School center Greg Oden ends up in a favorable position on a team that gives him a chance, and his health is >90% for a full season, he has a chance to put up 11ppg 10rpg, and with the spotlight that will follow the return of the former #1, he could be an easy win for MIP '13-'14.
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