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2018 NBA mid-season awards: Picking the league’s early standouts

By Jacob Doole

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 124-118. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 124-118. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 08: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 8, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 08: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 8, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Most Improved Player: Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers

Season stats: 24.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.9 blocks

Most Improved Player is all about comparing the past to the present. So let’s rewind to last season.

Victor Oladipo was a member of the Thunder. He was playing alongside Russell Westbrook, the Most Valuable Player in the league. He was holding Westbrook back, as part of a sub-par supporting cast. He was a high draft pick who never quite fulfilled his potential.

Now, fast forward back to this season:

https://twitter.com/NBAUK/status/940220884643561474

How could we all be so wrong?

Oladipo has drastically improved in every major statistical category, despite playing only one more minute per game. His current usage rate (30.5) is the highest of his career, as he’s been freed from the triple-double circus that was last year’s Thunder team.

What’s most impressive, however, is the fact that Oladipo has become much more efficient with this increased responsibility. His current shooting percentages from the field (49.1 percent) and from 3 (41.0 percent) are both comfortable career-highs. His Player Efficiency Rating of 24.3 places him 12th in the league; last season, he was well below the league average at 13.6.

You can pencil his name in for the All-Star game, and he’s led the Pacers to be surprisingly competitive through half of the season (21-20). Any doubts about his impact on the team were put to bed when they went 0-4 without him in the lineup.

This award often goes to a player that has simply increased their minutes or usage, which in turn increases their raw numbers. But Oladipo’s improvement goes deeper than that, and that’s why he would be a deserving winner.

Runner-up: Clint Capela, Houston Rockets

Season stats: 14.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.8 blocks

Clint Capela’s numbers have seen only a slight increase, but his influence has grown tremendously.

He’s the only player in the league to rank in the top 15 for both Offensive Rating (third) and defensive rating (11th), despite only playing 26.0 minutes per game. He could also become just the sixth player in NBA history to average a double-double in less than 27 minutes per game, according to Basketball Reference.

It’s easiest to see his improvement when watching a Rockets game, as he anchors the defense of one of the best teams in the league. Expect him to be in the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year as well as MIP.

Next three: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons; Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic; Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

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