NBA Awards For The Season So Far

Most Improved Player - Victor Oladipo

Victor Oladipo

This was one of the toughest awards to give. Kristaps Pozingis is playing on an extremely high level, but I am not giving this award to a 3rd-year guy who is supposed to improve.

Why is it a trend that whenever someone gets out of Westbrook's shadow, they succeed? Last year, we all were thinking that the Oladipo trade for the Oklahoma City Thunder made was a fail. Oladipo not improving last year in Oklahoma in ppg and also averaging a career low in assists per game was thought to have hit his ceiling but that was so not the case.

One of the most assumed lopsided trades this offseason turned out exactly opposite. Oladipo has been carrying Indiana on his back completely as Myles Turner hasn't improved significantly as we thought (although he is having the league-best bpg right now) and is been great in the clutch this season. Last week Oladipo averaged (28.2, 7, 4.2) on 50+% shooting, 47.5% 3 point shooting, getting the Player of the Week award.

I have already mentioned Porzingis playing like a dark horse MVP candidate. I also would like to mention Aaron Gordon, who has gotten way better this offseason. He has worked over his three-point shooting, which is showing as he is hitting 40%+ on threes. Let's hope he continues to evolve even more.