NBA: 5 candidates for the 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year award

By Morgan Dunn | Sep 28, 2017

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Anthony Morrow #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on November 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 22: Jusuf Nurkic #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers is guarded by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 22, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers

Nurkic’s hot finish to last season following a trade to Portland may actually hurt his case for this particular award. The big man posted averages of 15 and 11 in the month of March, and detractors will point to that as proof that he was already a very good player last season. Nurkic is immensely talented on the offensive end of the court, but his defense needs serious work and he must avoid mental lapses.

Playing with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum also limits his ceiling, something that will prevent gaudy numbers that Nurkic may be capable of as a “good stats on a bad team” guy.

Still, he’ll have his fair share of big games, as he reminds me a lot of DeMarcus Cousins offensively. That’s sure to get him some attention when it comes to award time.

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