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

By Morgan Dunn

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)
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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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court in the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court in the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz

Hood has been an underrated player over the last couple of years, something that is easy to accomplish when you’re playing in Salt Lake City. When he entered the league, he was little more than a catch-and-shoot guy on the offensive end, but he’s become much more than that since then.

Hood is a good shooter, something that is valued in the NBA now more than ever. He’s not afraid to hoist it, whether it be catch-and-shoot, off a screen, or off the dribble. The Duke product has improved his ball-handling dramatically in the last two years, something that he should still be working on. His passing vision is solid for a non-point guard, and it will need to continue to improve with the increased attention he’ll be garnering from opposing defenses.

Hood has good size and athleticism, and his tempo-oriented offensive game can give defenders problems, but the biggest boon to his production will likely be the departure of Gordon Hayward. Someone has to help fill the void left by Hayward, and Hood will get the best crack at it. If he can successfully take the ball to the rim more often, which will result in more trips to the free throw line, it should open things up for him and allow him to sniff 20 points per game this season.

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