NBA Most Improved Player Watch: Mar. 4
The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season. They are led by a player that looks to be winning an individual accolade.
Ja Morant was coming off a 2020-21 season where he averaged 19.1 points, four rebounds, and 7.4 assists on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and 30.3 percent from three. This season, he has elevated his averages to 27.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.2 steals a game on 49.4 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three.
Morant’s points per game, rebounds per game, steals per game, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage all improved from last season. His play has helped the Grizzlies to the third seed in the western conference at 43-20. That puts the team just .5 games away from the second seed.
He’s coming off a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 28 where he had a career-high 52 points on 22 for 30 shooting.
The second-place candidate, Bridges, has improved his averages to 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and one steal game on 48.3 percent from the field. His averages have improved in points per game, rebounds per game assists per game, and steals per game.
Despite this, the Charlotte Hornets are 31-33, putting them ninth in the eastern conference. Also, Bridges technically isn’t the best player on the team. Lamelo Ball was named an all-star and is the number one option for the Hornets.
The same could be said for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland. He has made his first all-star this year with averages of 20.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.2 steals a game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 38.2 percent from three. His play has led the Cavaliers to the fifth seed in the eastern conference at 36-25.
Garland’s play has elevated the Cavaliers, but he is surrounded by fellow all-star in center Jarrett Allen. Morant did not have another all-star on his team.
San Antonio Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray is in the award race. His averages have improved to 20.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.4 assists, and two steals a game on 46.1 percent shooting from the field. Those numbers were good enough to make him an all-star as an injury replacement for Draymond Green.
Despite the jump in numbers, the Spurs are 24-38, only good for 12th in the western conference. Compared to the top three candidates, that has hurt him in the award race.
Bridges, Garland and Murray all have solid cases to win the award, but Morant is currently the runaway favorite. The combination of statistics, being named as an all-star starter, team record, and case to be the MVP is over the other three candidates.
Timothy Lonas is a third-year majoring in digital/print journalism. To contact him, email him at tpl5336@psu.edu
