The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz: Predicting the NBA Awards Show winners

By Jared Woodcox

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Donovan Mitchell looks on at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Donovan Mitchell looks on at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers speaks during the post-game press conference after Game Seven of Round One against the Cleveland Cavaliers of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers speaks during the post-game press conference after Game Seven of Round One against the Cleveland Cavaliers of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Most Improved Player – Victor Oladipo

Honestly, I don’t think this one is all that hard to predict. Although fellow finalists Clint Capela and Spencer Dinwiddie had awesome seasons that saw them hold much more value than a year ago, neither of them took the significant leaps and bounds that Victor Oladipo did.

Oladipo went from an afterthought in Oklahoma City to a bona fide star in Indiana. He was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team and led an Indiana Pacers squad that nearly everyone thought would be among the league’s worst into the playoffs. Had it not been for the Cavs’ late season slump which saw them falter to the fourth seed, Oladipo and Co. very well could have advanced to at least the second round of the playoffs.

Oladipo put up career figures in nearly every statistical category, including points (23.1), field goal percentage (47.7), 3-point percentage (37.1), rebounds (5.2), assists (4.3) and steals (2.4). He was also named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team. He looked like an entirely different player from the year before and elevated the Pacers to unforeseen heights.

Some may argue that Oladipo’s improvements came more due to an enhanced opportunity than because of personal development, but that’s inaccurate. The move to Indy certainly helped him, but there’s also no denying the work he put in to better his craft. Between such astounding individual achievements and the fact that Oladipo took his team to such great heights, he should be the runaway winner for the Most Improved Player Award.

Home/Jazz News