NBA: 5 way-too-early Most Improved Player candidates for 2021

Five way-too-early Most Improved Player candidates for 2021

The 2020-21 NBA season is upon us. Here are some rather whacky things going on through the first seven games.

First, we’re only playing 72 games, second, there are no fans. Next, the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks have a better record than the Milwaukee Bucks. Fans are wondering if Cleveland is going to be a playoff team. The Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, and Toronto Raptors are currently out of playoff contention.

My reasoning for bringing this up is to provide some perspective. Are the Magic going to finish as the two seed? Not a chance. Are the nets going to miss the playoffs? Of course not. But isn’t it fun to say the Knicks are better than the Nets right now? Isn’t there some comedy and some bias that comes into play? I think it’s fun to buy into players and put a bunch of stock into players after a small sample size. That’s what we’re doing with this piece today. We’re going to put stock into some guys who have gotten off to a blazing start that I feel will keep it up for the rest of the season, which I believe will be candidates for Most Improved Player for 2021.

When I think of the Most Improved Player award I think of the draft. Picture you’re a GM at the pre-draft dinner. You’re super excited about your pick as you go in for another helping of mashed potatoes, you wipe your mouth off and overhear other GMs throwing around words like “Potential” and “Upside,” which means their talking themselves into a player or they’re trying to convince someone else that that prospect is going to be a home run.

Similar to the guy in the fantasy league who tries to convince someone that a package of Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley for LeBron is a good move because it gives him depth. You know you’re lying, you’re just hoping he doesn’t know.

The greatest example of an “upside” guy would easily be Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks get him at the 15th pick of the 1st round as a skinny but long athlete out of Greece whose only film was grainy 280p video of him dunking on kids half his size at what looks to be a YMCA. My point is, at the time it was risky. All that “risk” turns into gold as he is now a perennial all-star and a two-time MVP.

These next five guys I’m going to list can only hope to have a similar story.