MEMPHIS, TENN. — Here’s a little research to elaborate on a point I made the other day about Andrew Bynum being a longshot candidate for NBA Most Improved Player because he doesn’t project to score enough to win it. Bynum’s improvement absolutely transcends mere scoring, but most of the media voters get caught up in points as the basis for this award.
Bynum has scored five more points per game this season (from 7.8 to 12.8) than last season. He deserves huge credit for subtle improvements in his game, especially in team defense. But check out this chart for reference:
Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge: from 9 ppg to 18.1
Sacramento’s Beno Udrih: from 4.7 to 13.6
Memphis’ Rudy Gay: from 10.8 to 19.4
Sacramento’s John Salmons: from 8.5 to 16.8
New Jersey’s Richard Jefferson: from 16.3 to 24.5
Utah’s Ronnie Brewer: from 4.6 to 12.6
The Clippers’ Chris Kaman: from 10.1 to 18.1
Kaman actually would have a reasonable shot at the honor if he can keep up the production, except no one will vote for a Clipper.
If MIP votes was were anything like the MVP votes, Bynum’s impact towards Lakers success, compounded with his statistical improvement would have helped him pass all the above candidates perhaps with the exception of Aldridge.
But bynum’s development is the most important aspect of Lakers surge and those whose task is to chose must consider this in choosing MIP. His advancement in actuality generated good vibes on his team mates where everyone suddenly move themselves up to par and to be part of the progress of the team. That is why in my point of view of Bynum’s getting the plum will gladly be accepted by NBA fans.
The season is not over, give Bynum a little more time and the inprovement numbers could be even more dramatic.
His numbers for the last 10 games have been far better than the first 13