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The NBA is on a break, as the 2022 All-Star Weekend commences in Cleveland. While most players in the league are on vacation, some have been selected to participate in various competitions. Desmond Bane played in the Rising Stars Challenge, and will also compete in the three-point contest on Saturday night.
Ja Morant and Dejounte Murray will play in the All-Star Game as members of Team Kevin Durant. Morant is a starter, while Murray is part of the reserves after being named an injury replacement for Draymond Green.
Before proceeding to All-Star Saturday Night, here's a look at this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings:
#5 Desmond Bane
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 56; Games won - 39; Games lost - 17
Last Week: PPG - 22.0, APG - 3.3, RPG - 5.0
Overall: PPG - 17.9, APG - 2.5, RPG - 4.5
Last Week: FG% - 44.2%, 3P% - 52.0%, SPG - 2.0
Overall: FG% - 46.0%, 3P% - 41.9%, SPG - 1.2
Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies remains in fifth spot in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bane played well, averaging 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in three games last week.
The sophomore also represented the Grizzlies in the Rising Stars Challenge, as part of Team Isiah Thomas. He helped his team advance to the final before falling to Team Rick Barry. Bane will also participate in the 3-point contest on All-Star Saturday Night.
#4 Miles Bridges
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 0; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 58; Games won - 27; Games lost - 31
Last Week: PPG - 21.7, APG - 4.3, RPG - 9.7
Overall: PPG - 20.0, APG - 3.6, RPG - 7.2
Last Week: FG% - 38.2%, 3P% - 26.1%, FT% - 81.0%
Overall: FG% - 48.1%, 3P% - 30.8%, FT% - 79.8%
Miles Bridges started last week poorly, with an eight-point performance in the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. However, Bridges could pick it up in the next two games before the All-Star break. He ended last week averaging 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
However, despite his strong finish to the week, he falls to fourth spot in our NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bridges did all he could last week, but it was not enough to prevent Anfernee Simons from climbing up the list.
#3 Anfernee Simons
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3, Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 53; Games won - 25; Games lost - 28
Last Week: PPG - 30.7, APG - 6.7, RPG - 3.3
Overall: PPG - 17.0, APG - 3.9, RPG - 2.7
Last Week: FG% - 52.3%, 3P% - 47.4%, FT% - 85.7%
Overall: FG% - 44.7%, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 88.5%
Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers moves up to number three in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Simons has been on a roll in 2022, especially after Damian Lillard went out with injury. He got more chances once CJ McCollum was traded at the deadline.
Simons averaged 30.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists in three games last week. He led the Blazers to a 3-0 record, heading into the All-Star break with a lot of momentum. The 22-year-old has emerged as a dark-horse contender to win the Most Improved Player of the Year award.
#2 Dejounte Murray
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 52; Games won - 22; Games lost - 30
Last Week: PPG - 22.7, APG - 10.3, RPG - 6.7
Overall: PPG - 19.9, APG - 9.3, RPG - 8.3
Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 37.5%, SPG - 1.7
Overall: FG% - 45.9%, 3P% - 31.9, SPG - 2.0
Dejounte Murray is still at number two in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Murray averaged 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 10.3 assists in three games last week. He continues to prove why he deserved to be named an All-Star this season.
In addition to being a triple-double threat every night, Murray has been taking care of the ball really well. Murray has a total of just eight turnovers in his last six games, while tallying 66 assists.
#1 Ja Morant
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 1; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 46; Games won - 29; Games lost - 17
Last Week: PPG - 35.0, APG - 8.5, RPG - 5.5
Overall: PPG - 26.8, APG - 6.9, RPG - 5.8
Last Week: FG% - 56.1%, 3P% - 11.1%, FT% - 74.2%
Overall: FG% - 49.5%, 3P% - 33.0%, FT% - 75.5%
Ja Morant remains atop the NBA's Most Improved Player power rankings this week. He played in just two games last week, nursing a minor injury. He still averaged 35.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists, while shooting 56.1% from the field.
Morant also set a Grizzlies franchise record for most free throws made and attempted in a game, in their loss to the Blazers last Wednesday. He went 21-for-25, scoring a total of 44 points and dishing 11 assists. Morant heads into the All-Star Game as a potential winner of the Kobe Bryant MVP Award.
