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Milwaukee Bucks: Who Deserves the Most Improved Player Award?

By Lukas Harkins

Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), forward Jabari Parker (12) and guard Tyler Ennis (11) during the game against the Chicago Bulls at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), forward Jabari Parker (12) and guard Tyler Ennis (11) during the game against the Chicago Bulls at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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.

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