Milwaukee Bucks: Who Deserves the Most Improved Player Award?

Oct 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

History of the Award

As you would expect from the title, the Most Improved Player Award goes to, well, the most improved player in the NBA. Now in the 32nd year of the award, no player has ever won the award twice, as it would be very difficult to be the player who upped his game to an entire new level more than any player back-to-back years.

The award is voted on at the end of the season by a select number of sportswriters who may cast a vote for first, second, and third place, which all dictate different point values towards the winner.

And although there are a lot of players who improve dramatically early in their career, this award typically focuses on players who take the step from role player or average starter to a star level of play. The past three winners are listed below along with their statistical increases from their prior season.

2016: C.J. McCollum

Season	Age	Pos	G	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	eFG%	FT	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2014-15	23	SG	62	15.7	2.6	5.9	.436	0.9	2.2	.396	.511	0.8	1.2	.699	1.5	1.0	0.7	0.1	0.8	1.3	6.8
2015-16	24	SG	80	34.8	8.0	17.9	.448	2.5	5.9	.417	.517	2.3	2.8	.827	3.2	4.3	1.2	0.3	2.5	2.3	20.8

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

2015: Jimmy Butler

Season	Age	Pos	G	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	eFG%	FT	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2013-14	24	SG	67	38.7	4.1	10.3	.397	1.0	3.6	.283	.446	3.9	5.0	.769	4.9	2.6	1.9	0.5	1.5	1.6	13.1
2014-15	25	SG	65	38.7	6.5	14.0	.462	1.1	3.0	.378	.502	5.9	7.1	.834	5.8	3.3	1.8	0.6	1.4	1.7	20.0

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

2014: Goran Dragic

Season	Age	Pos	G	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	eFG%	FT	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2012-13	26	PG	77	33.5	5.2	11.8	.443	1.1	3.6	.319	.491	3.2	4.2	.748	3.1	7.4	1.6	0.3	2.8	2.8	14.7
2013-14	27	SG	76	35.1	7.3	14.4	.505	1.6	3.9	.408	.561	4.2	5.5	.760	3.2	5.9	1.4	0.3	2.8	2.7	20.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

As you can see, there are two main ways for a player to win this award. First, you can win the award due to a massive increase of opportunity. For C.J. McCollum, his jump in minutes was huge for his production, allowing him to see career highs across the board. And in accordance with these minutes, C.J. also jumped his per-36 minute numbers as well, solidifying his case as a truly improved player.

Both Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic, on the other hand, took the route of straight scoring increases. Butler and Dragic each were coming off of pretty good seasons the year before, averaging just under 15 points per game. But, in their respective years of winning the award, they were able to bring that average up to 20 points per game on much higher shooting percentages.

This second way of winning the award is the path that both Giannis and Jabari are working towards this season.