NBA Most Improved Player of the Year (MIP) Power Rankings featuring Anfernee Simons, Dejounte Murray and more | January 29th, 2022

The 2022 NBA All-Star Game is less than a month away, while the trade deadline is in less than two weeks. Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies was named an All-Star starter, legitimizing his rise to superstardom this season. It also solidifies his case as the league's Most Improved Player.

Darius Garland also has a chance to be named an All-Star this season for leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a winning record. Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray and Miles Bridges are expected to get some consideration for their breakout seasons.

Let's take a look at this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings and see if there are changes or if a new player makes their way into the top five.

---

#5 Darius Garland

Darius Garland of the Miami Heat.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #4

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 43; Games won - 28; Games lost - 15

Last Week: PPG - 18.3, APG - 10.3, RPG - 1.7

Overall: PPG - 19.7, APG - 8.2, RPG - 3.3

Last Week: FG% - 43.1%, 3P% - 33.3%, SPG - 1.3

Overall: FG% - 46.7%, 3P% - 36.4%, SPG - 1.3

Darius Garland drops down to number five in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. It's not because his production was down since he still averaged 18.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 10.3 assists last week. It's due to the Cavaliers playing just three games last week.

Nevertheless, Garland is set to bounce back this week and produce more double-doubles for the Cavaliers. He's one of the reasons why Cleveland is just two games behind first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

---

#4 Anfernee Simons

Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - NA

Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 3; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 43; Games won - 21; Games lost - 22

Last Week: PPG - 21.4, APG - 5.8, RPG - 2.8

Overall: PPG - 15.7, APG - 3.7, RPG - 2.6

Last Week: FG% - 46.4%, 3P% - 47.8%, FT% - 87.5%

Overall: FG% - 44.9%, 3P% - 40.5%, FT% - 91.8%

There's a new player to burst into the top five. Making his debut on the list is Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers. Simons is number four in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings after averaging 21.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in five games last week.

Simons has shown flashes of potential every since his rookie season, but he has taken his play to another level this year. With Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum missing time, Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups trusted Simons and he delivered.

---

#3 Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 3; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 48; Games won - 26; Games lost - 22

Last Week: PPG - 22.2, APG - 2.8, RPG - 7.2

Overall: PPG - 20.3, APG - 3.5, RPG - 7.3

Last Week: FG% - 60.6%, 3P% - 36.0%, FT% - 88.0%

Overall: FG% - 49.3%, 3P% - 32.5%, FT% - 78.7%

Miles Bridges moves down one spot in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bridges played great last week, averaging 22.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in five games. He did nothing wrong and it was just Dejounte Murray who played better last week.

Nevertheless, Bridges is still one of the most improved players this season. He's certainly playing like an All-Star and might get some consideration from head coaches. He has truly become a legitimate option on offense for the Charlotte Hornets.

---

#2 Dejounte Murray

Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 2; Games lost - 3

Overall: Games played - 45; Games won - 18; Games lost - 27

Last Week: PPG - 21.6, APG - 11.0, RPG - 9.0

Overall: PPG - 19.4, APG - 9.1, RPG - 8.4

Last Week: FG% - 43.3%, 3P% - 23.5%, SPG - 2.0

Overall: FG% - 44.9%, 3P% - 31.7, SPG - 2.0

Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs is back in second place for this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Murray led the Spurs to two wins last week, averaging a near triple-double of 21.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 11.0 assists in five games.

Murray registered two more triple-doubles last week, with two additional near triple-doubles. He's already tied David Robinson for the most triple-doubles in Spurs history with 14. Murray certainly deserves to be an All-Star this season, but he could be the odd man out in a really deep Western Conference.

---

#1 Ja Morant

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 38; Games won - 23; Games lost - 15

Last Week: PPG - 36.0, APG - 7.5, RPG - 8.5

Overall: PPG - 25.9, APG - 7.0, RPG - 6.1

Last Week: FG% - 50.5%, 3P% - 35.0%, FT% - 70.7%

Overall: FG% - 48.8%, 3P% - 35.7%, FT% - 76.6%

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies was named to his first All-Star Game and he's also named as a starter. Morant remains first in the NBA's Most Improved Player power rankings this week. He averaged a ridiculous 36.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists in four games last week.

Morant has certainly become a superstar this season and it has catapulted the Grizzlies into the spotlight. The Grizzlies are currently third in the Western Conference standings. They are doing it without a fully healthy lineup, but Morant has created an identity for him and the entire Grizzlies team.