JJ Redick has recently generated a lot of talk about winning one of the NBA’s most prestigious awards.
Last week, the Los Angeles Lakers coach made headlines while offering dull thoughts on the honor of the most improved players that have been coveted.
In JJ Redick’s eyes, the MIP trophy is currently quite problematic, claiming that the “prize spirit” has already lost its purpose from several past winners.
And Reddick’s perspective cannot be denied for both Draymond Green and Baron Davis.
The most improved players who have been honored after the great George Mikan are given to the players who have demonstrated tremendous development compared to the past few seasons.
Based on the history of past winners and the context behind the award, MIP took this opportunity to get up to the lesser known talent who successfully carved his success from the bottom.
However, over the past few years, the NBA has seen several lottery picks that have won the most improved distinction, with the exception of Philadelphia 76ers guard Tailece Maxie.
| MIP Award Winner | Draft Picks |
| Tailece Maxi (2024) | 21st overall pick |
| Lauri Markanen (2023) | 7th overall pick |
| Ja Morant (2022) | Second overall pick |
| Julius Randle (2021) | 7th overall pick |
| Brandon Ingram (2020) | Second overall pick |
“When JJ said this, I said, ‘Man, JJ must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed.’ I watched the interview and it seemed he said it out of nowhere, I was like, “JJ wouldn’t have had a good day today.”
“Then I went and looked at the list of who won. Green said in his latest episode of The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.
“If you look at these guys with the most improvements in mind, the 15th pick (2013), Giannis (Antetokounmpo), we all agree. …Pascalciacam (won 2019) is what made me so much better. And he came back the following year. He made a big leap.
He sees the logic behind Brandon Ingram, Ja Morant and others who claim the most improved, but the Golden State Warriors star still said: “I can agree with that, but other than that, I agree with JJ who made a great point.”
This season, Cade Cunningham is favoured to win a MIP title. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft led the Detroit Pistons to a historic turn after years of mediocre.
So there are several that have emerged as key candidates for Evan Mobley’s admiration for his major two-way leap. Dyson Daniels transformed into a defensive powerhouse in his first year for the Atlanta Hawks and rose to strong as a key starter for the Denver Nuggets.
For Davis, lottery picks should be banned from winning the most improved awards, as they are expected to live up to expectations.
“I don’t think you should be a lottery pick and get the most improved player,” the former NBA star claimed. “I think it really should go to the second round pick.
“When you’re a high draft topic, that’s what you’re expecting: it’s the award you should go to (the right person).
“As a draft pick and an All-Star, that’s what you expect from yourself. That’s what you expected from you when you’re a top 10 pick. You’re expected to become an All-Star.
“JJ was important in that. I had to give him credit.”
All we can do is wait this season to see who will charge the MIP. At the end of the day, the ball is about how to define and restore the fame of the award in the hands of voters.