NBA's Most Improved Player

[hammerhead johnson]

Samuel Dalembert (Leads NBA in Blocks-Per-Game at 3.4, 10 RPG)

Boris Diaw (12 PPG, 6 APG, 6.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 50% FG)

Eddie Griffin (#2 in NBA in BLK/PF Ratio, #6 in BPG)

Mike James (17 PPG, 5 APG, 47% FG, 83% FT, 43.5% 3PT)

Chris Kaman (11 PPG, 9 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 51% FG)

Zaza Pachulia (#2 in NBA in Offensive Rebounding)

Smush Parker (#9 in NBA in Steals, 12 PPG, 3 APG, 3 RPG)

David West (17 PPG, 8 RPG, 1 SPG, 1 BPG, 51% FG, 84% FT)

Delonte West (11 PPG, 4.2 APG, 4.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 52% FG, 85% FT)

[SleepyWhiteSox]

David West. It's a miracle that the Hornets are winning as many games as they are, and it's basically been all about him and ROY on that team. Anyways, that's my choice.

[qwerty]

Diaw or david west. James numbers jumped alot but anyone's would going to a team like the raptors... he has always been a good point guard before this season anyway... but he is showing he is capable of more than backing up.

Edited January 25, 2006 by q\/\/3r+y

[hammerhead johnson]

I chose Boris Diaw. The guy has been amazing, and he pretty much came out of nowhere. All that I knew about him before was that he had a lot of defensive upside. I never figured that he'd be flirting with triple doubles on a regular basis.

[rangercal]

You can put Tyson Chandler on the players who Got worse List.

[heirdog]

Diaw. A lot of talent that was buried away in Atlanta.

[qwerty]

I chose Boris Diaw.  The guy has been amazing, and he pretty much came out of nowhere.  All that I knew about him before was that he had a lot of defensive upside.  I never figured that he'd be flirting with triple doubles on a regular basis.

 

I always wished the bulls traded for him. He was one of those players you just knew where on the cusp of breaking out in a big way. The bulls were rumored to get him many times since he has been in the league. Oooh what could have been...

[hammerhead johnson]

Diaw or david west. James numbers just alot but anyone's would going to a team like the raptors... he has always been a good point guard before this season anyway... but he is showing he is capable of more than backing up.

 

Yep, I was impressed with Mike James when he was on the Pistons. Good defender, good ball-handling skills, excellent quickness, etc. I dunno why the Rockets would swap him for Rafer Alston.

[SleepyWhiteSox]

Thing is, how much of it is diaw being a product of d'antoni's system and playing with Nash?

[qwerty]

Yep, I was impressed with Mike James when he was on the Pistons.  Good defender, good ball-handling skills, excellent quickness, etc.  I dunno why the Rockets would swap him for Rafer Alston.

 

The rockets wanted to get a faster... most athletic team ( drafted luther head). Alston is just about as fast as they come and plays good defense... and he use to bring up the lack of defense being played in toronto ( bet he is laughing after the kobe game). Alston is a fine point guard but is pretty vocal.

[hammerhead johnson]

You can put Tyson Chandler on the players who Got worse  List.

 

Yeah, although it would be strange to put a guy who just turned 23 on a list like that considering that he's a good 3 or 4 years away from his prime. A list like that is a good idea, though. It would have to be a guy who is in his prime or past his prime, IMO. I'd probably start with Lorenzen Wright, who actually seemed to care last year.

[qwerty]

Yeah, although it would be strange to put a guy who just turned 23 on a list like that considering that he's a good 3 or 4 years away from his prime.  A list like that is a good idea, though.  It would have to be a guy who is in his prime or past his prime, IMO.  I'd probably start with Lorenzen Wright, who actually seemed to care last year.

 

Lorezen wright has a nice as shot in nba 2005... 2006 sucks balls though. Memphis is usually my team when we have tournaments and they are loaded with defenders, height, and trey ballers... i loved that 2004-2005 team.

[SleepyWhiteSox]

Yeah, although it would be strange to put a guy who just turned 23 on a list like that considering that he's a good 3 or 4 years away from his prime.  A list like that is a good idea, though.  It would have to be a guy who is in his prime or past his prime, IMO.  I'd probably start with Lorenzen Wright, who actually seemed to care last year.

 

All players past their prime got worse. That's why they're past their prime.

[hammerhead johnson]

Thing is, how much of it is diaw being a product of d'antoni's system and playing with Nash?

 

They're a much better defensive team right now than they were last year, and Diaw is a huge part of that (along with Bell and Thomas). Last I checked, they led the NBA in least turnovers allowed. That is a category that the Spurs usually own people in, but the Suns have even better than San Antonio this year because of their 2-3-4 combo of Bell/Diaw/Marion. Without that specific area of defensive excellence, they wouldn't be a contender to meet (get whooped by) the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.

 

But there's no question that the presence of Nash on the offensive end has contributed to Diaw's impressive statline of 12/6/6.

[Chisoxfn]

I went with Diaw. Kaman is a close 2nd. That guy is quickly turning into an all around monster. Offensively he has some nice game and he's just a beast on the boards.

 

Dalembert is also quality but I think he was solid last year, it was just he was hampered by the system a bit. Both him and Kaman are on my fantasy team and I'd love either of them on the Bulls. With either we'd be a playoff team.

[hammerhead johnson]

All players past their prime got worse.  That's why they're past their prime.

 

Not necessarily. Some guys get worse, and then some guys get worse, if you know what I'm saying. I'd cut of a player's prime years at the age of 32. Some guys continue to kick ass into their mid-30s, or even late 30s.

Edited January 25, 2006 by hammerhead johnson

[Spiff]

I gotta say David West but I also gotta put in the good word for Zaza Pachulia. He's an absolute monster on the offensive boards.

 

And De-LONTE, oh man he's fun to watch. 9th in the league in field goal pct (#1 by far in adjust fg pct), 9th in 3pt pct, 4 boards and 4 assists (needs a few more) per game, 85% from the line, 2.5 a/to, he blocks shots as well as any guard in the league, there's nothing he can't do!

[Pauly8509CWS]

Lorezen wright has a nice as shot in nba 2005... 2006 sucks balls though. Memphis is usually my team when we have tournaments and they are loaded with defenders, height, and trey ballers... i loved that 2004-2005 team.

 

 

The have Mike Miller.... enough said.

[DBAHO]

I went with Diaw, can easily get a triple - double every night if he wanted to.

 

That said, he could be out of the starting lineup soon with Barbosa back.

 

Otherwise I'd probably choose West. But I also think Jameer Nelson should be on that list. He's been phenomenal the past few weeks, with Francis going crazy and all.

[SSH2005]

You can put Tyson Chandler on the players who Got worse  List.

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[WilliamTell]

I'd take Smush Parker if he ever got to shoot the ball.

[Chisoxfn]

Man Chandler had another really solid game tonight. So did the Bulls.

[GoodAsGould]

Man Chandler had another really solid game tonight.  So did the Bulls.

 

Id say an avg. game well this season it would be one of his better but yeah id say if he produces like he has the last 2 games we might have something here.... wish he would get a couple more blocks.

[SSH2005]

For over $60 million dollars, Chandler's good games shouldn't be 11 points and 8 rebounds. But anything is an improvement I guess.

Edited January 26, 2006 by SSH2005

[hammerhead johnson]

Man Chandler had another really solid game tonight.  So did the Bulls.

 

Word. I counted three airballs put up by Chris Bosh when Chandler was guarding him. Those are blocks in my book. Now that he's back in his element at the PF slot, the Bulls should be a hell of a lot better.

 

And Luol Deng? God damn does he continue to impress. Why is he only getting 11 shots per game?