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D'Angelo Russell was selected with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a decent player for the Lakers but never managed to live up to his hype.
Russell was projected to be the next great point guard for the Lakers. But his biggest spotlight moment with the Lakers came from an off-field controversy involving Nick Young. The Lakers eventually traded Russell to the Nets to shed the huge contract of Mozgov and create salary cap space for elite free agents.
Russell has enjoyed a great spell with the Nets away from the spotlight of the Los Angeles. He has become the leader of the young core. The Nets just reached the playoffs and had a superb season. Russell also got his first ever All-Star selection and finished as the leading points scorer for the Nets. He showed great penchant for scoring from beyond the arc.
Let's have a look at the three reasons why Russell should win the most improved player award this season:
#3. Significant improvement in scoring output:
D'Angelo Russell came into the league primarily as a great playmaker who can also score off the dribble. But he lacked the ability to penetrate defenses and that made it difficult for him against tight defenses.
This season Russell showed very good ability to lead a team. He has improved his game and has become a great scorer. He has been especially good in the clutch situations for the Nets and even scored 27 points in just the fourth quarter of a regular season game against the Kings.
Russell averaged around 15 PPG in the 2017-18 season and his scoring output increased to 21 PPG in the 2018-19 season.
#2. Nets reached the playoffs
The Brooklyn Nets made one of the worst trades in the NBA history when they dealt away all their future picks for the ageing duo of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in hopes of winning a championship. Garnett and Pierce were never the same player after leaving the Boston Celtics. The Nets struggled to even make the playoffs and hence their picks became lottery picks for the Celtics.
It took a lot of effort and patience for the Nets to comeback from that trade. Only now have they been able to make a team that's good for playoff contention. D'Angelo Russell has been the architect of this team.
Russell has instilled youth and leadership withing the Nets organization. The Nets made the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15 season and are also in a very good position to contend in the upcoming season.
#1. D'Angelo Russell made his first All-Star appearance
D'Angelo Russell made it to his first ever All-Star team owing to his great performances for the Nets. He became the primary scoring option for a team contending for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Russell played 81 games and averaged 30.2 minutes, 21.1 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. He made a career-high 234 three’s this past season while shooting 36.9 percent. His shooting touch from the deep also creates lot of open spaces for his teammates.
D’Angelo Russell’s improvement on the court and off the court this season have made him a prime candidate for the NBA Most Improved Player award. Pascal Siakam enjoyed a great season for the Toronto Raptors but Russell arguably had to carry more load for his team. It will be a tight contest but Russell should emerge out with the Most Improved Player Award.
