2023 NBA Most Improved Player Predictions

What’s more impressive, to be born great or to continuously improve yourself every day? These players have put in the work and managed to shatter expectations this season. In this article, we’ll cover the top five favorites for the 2023 NBA Most Improved Player Award and give you our predictions as well.

There are a million ways athletes can improve their skills. Getting a fresh start at a new team, making it into the starting lineup, averaging better numbers, contributing more to winning, and so on. This award is often overshadowed by the likes of the MVP and DPOY trophies but it’s just as important. After all, the Most Improved Player of the year could win those trophies but it’s not likely to happen the other way around.

Shai is receiving MVP chants in Oklahoma

From what we’ve seen from this season so far, the race for the 2023 NBA Most Improved Player award is over. Not only is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the clear, but he’s also drawing MVP chants at certain games. Let’s look at last season’s main stats first. Shai only played 56 games last season and averaged 24.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 5.9 APG on 45-30-81 shooting. He did this while playing 34.7 minutes per game which is good enough.

However, this season he already played in 25 games and is averaging 31.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 5.8 APG. His shooting splits are 50-32-93 in 35.5 minutes per game. Shai looks like a one-man army on a Thunder team that’s probably tanking for the draft. His chances to win Most Improved Player are clear with odds of -150 on Bovada.

Tyrese Haliburton and a well-balanced Pacers team – 2023 NBA Most Improved Player Predictions

The Pacers’ start to the season was promising and they’ve spent some time near the top before falling to the 8th seed in the East. However, we still believe that Haliburton and co. can bounce back after their recent troubles. The now 22-year-old point guard has always been a good NBA and played over 30 minutes per game each season. If he hasn’t, Haliburton would probably be on top of this list.

In 26 games this season he’s averaging 19.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 10.8 APG along with 1.8 SPG as well. Haliburton’s the team leader in points, assists, and teams. He’s also leading the league in assists this season. The point guard only played 26 games last season which he already equaled. He’s also doing more in less time this year, seeing how he averages 33.4 minutes now compared to last year’s 36.1 minutes per game.

Haliburton put up 17.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 9.6 APG, and 1.8 SPG last season in the same amount of games as this year. Comparing his stats is easy this way. His odds to win Most Improved are +325 on Bovada. The Pacers also have a Sixth Man of the Year favorite in Bennedict Mathurin so better watch out for Indiana.

Lauri Markkanen is Finally Showing what he is Capable of

The Finnish forward was always a decent player but he never really made that next step since he was drafted in 2017. But now, he’s part of the new-look Utah Jazz and is a key player on the team. Markkanen played 61 games with Cleveland last season and averaged 14.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 1.3 APG. His shooting averages were 44-35-86 under 30.8 minutes per game.

This season so far the 25-year-old started in 26 games and is averaging 22.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 2.2 APG. Markkanen improved in nearly every category and his current shooting splits are far more impressive. 52-41-83 under 33.9 minutes per game. If Shai wasn’t putting up MVP numbers, Lauri’s odds’ would probably be better. For now, his odds of winning the 2023 NBA Most Improved Player award are +400 on Bovada.

Anfernee Simons is the Backup Lillard of the Blazers

The three finalists for the award will be most likely made up of the previous three players. There’s a massive drop in numbers between Markkanen and Simons. Anfernee Simons made an admirable improvement from last season so it feels a bit strange for online gambling in the US to have his odds at +2000.

Simmons had a good season last year but he’s going to be even better this time around. The 23-year-old was made a permanent starter and already played 25 games for the Blazers.

He’s also playing a whopping 36.8 minutes per game, the second most in the league. Additionally, Simmons is putting up 23.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

The Portland starter improved everything except for 3-pointer percentage and offensive rebounds. To be fair though, he’s attempting 10.3 threes per game, almost three more than last season. In 2021-22 Simmons averaged 17.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 3.9 APG under 29.5 minutes per game.

Bol Bol gets a Fresh Start in Orlando – 2023 NBA Most Improved Player Predictions

Bol Bol was hyped up a lot, especially when he entered the league in 2019. Due to his physical abilities and his father’s NBA history, people expected more from him. The 7’2” power forward spent three seasons in Denver and only played 53 games during his stay there. For example, he only played in 14 games last season and averaged 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.1 blocks in under 6 minutes per game.

The move to Orlando has only benefited Bol Bol. He’s now a regular starter and is playing 26.9 minutes per game. He’s putting up 12.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 1.8 BPG. His odds for the 2023 NBA Most Improved Player are +2800 on Bovada. On a side note, the Magic are still terrible but it’s nice to see Bol Bol finally getting some recognition. We hope he can continue to improve his game.

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