Devin Harris was already playing at quite a high level. Granger was good,but he has made a bigger jump from where he was last year. I would be very happy to see Granger on the Houston Rockets. He is one of the bright spots in Indiana.
LeBron was already the 2nd best player in the league last year, so you must have a different definition of elite.
Because he got "that" much better. I think. He got better than Kobe this year. I'd say that's the most improved/most important.
You think so? He's been improving every year... I liked him as a young prospect but i can't say i love the type of player he's grown into. He's in the Kevin Durant/Carmelo Anthony category of great scorers who lack playmaking ability. I think he has the athleticism to be much better though. I am impressed with his penetration, it's obviously something he worked on in the summer.
This award is well deserved. But I think Durant is one level higher in terms of talent. And LBJ went from elite to legendary this season.
I've said this many times already and will repeat: It's great that Granger took his game to another level AFTER signing his gigantic extension. Players like him are a credit to the NBA and help offset the sorry slobs who slack off after getting guaranteed big money.
Players who were already good should not be considered for MiP, additionally sophomore players that are expected to improve (Gay) should not be considered. A guy like Chris Anderson who went from out of the league to impact bench player on a top team should be in, or his teammate Nene who was out with cancer. I just don't like what MiP is about.
I totally agree with this. Young studs simply growing into their potential should not be winning the "most improved" award. They didn't really "improve", well technically they did, but you get the drift. The award should be given to a guy who was a complete scrub and then came out of nowhere to be productive. This gives the award some actual meaning in recognizing the scrubs that toiled overseas or in the NBDL and finally broke through. Guys like Mike James and Flip Murray. It shouldn't be some 21-25 year old lottery pick finally doing what he was projected to do all along (I realize Granger was never expected to be this good, but he was still a prospect.) While this barometer might be subjective ie: determining who was a scrub and who was supposed to get good, it's not as if the other awards are simply formula driven. the NBA's entire awards system is a complete joke. DPOY and all defense-teams: the offensive stars who also play a bit of defense or the marquee defensive "names." DPOY goes to the star with the gaudiest steals/blocks stats taking no consideration for actual man defense (ie: battier). MVP: got it right this year, but the fact that steve nash has 2 MVP's one coming in a year in which kobe bryant had one of the greatest single seasons in NBA history is embarrassing. executive of the year: the GM who made the biggest blockbuster trade resulting in success for his team. no consideration given for shrewd under the radar managerial decisions that has a team 2 games away from the WCF with a $38 million hole in its lineup.
So as the second best player in the league last year, he was only "good" in your book? Only the best player in the league can be considered elite? Back on topic... congratulations to Granger. I didn't see him play at all this year, but just from the numbers, his season was pretty impressive.
