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The NBA is almost halfway through the regular season as voting for starters in the All-Star Game in Cleveland began last Christmas Day. Even though the usual superstars are expected to start, there will surely be first-time All-Stars.
One of those players making the case for his first All-Star Game is Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. He's having a breakout season wherein he is becoming a legitimate superstar. Morant is also one of the favorites to win the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year Award and was ranked first in last week's power rankings.
Let's take a look at this week's MIP power rankings and see if there are any newcomers or changes that happened.
#5 Tyler Herro
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 33; Games won - 20; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 18.0, APG - 4.5, RPG - 4.8
Overall: PPG - 20.3, APG - 3.9, RPG - 4.9
Last Week: FG% - 29.1%, 3P% - 26.2%
Overall: FG% - 42.2%, 3P% - 38.2%
Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat moves down to the fifth spot in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Herro remained healthy last week, playing in all four games with the Heat. However, he was ejected in their last matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Herro was solid for the Heat, averaging 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. The only reason he dropped one spot in the power rankings was his shooting. Herro struggled last week, shooting just 29.1% from the field and 26.2% from beyond the arc.
#4 Desmond Bane
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 39; Games won - 25; Games lost - 14
Last Week: PPG - 19.0, APG - 4.0, RPG - 5.7
Overall: PPG - 17.4, APG - 2.3, RPG - 4.4
Last Week: FG% - 45.3%, 3P% - 37.5%, SPG - 1.3
Overall: FG% - 46.6%, 3P% - 41.6%, SPG - 1.0
Desmond Bane continues his impressive sophomore season as he climbs to number four in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bane has been an important part of the Memphis Grizzlies, along with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Bane averaged 19.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists in three games last week. The Grizzlies went 3-0 and are currently on a six-game winning streak. If you ask Morant who's the favorite to win the Most Improved Player of the Year Award, Desond Bane is his answer.
#3 Dejounte Murray
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 1; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 32; Games won - 14; Games lost - 18
Last Week: PPG - 22.0, APG - 12.0, RPG - 9.0
Overall: PPG - 18.0, APG - 8.9, RPG - 8.4
Last Week: FG% - 52.4%, 3P% - 0.0%, SPG - 3.0
Overall: FG% - 44.2%, 3P% - 33.6, SPG - 2.0
Dejounte Murray made his return to the court on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics. Murray missed five games after entering the NBA's health and safety protocols last December 24th. The 25-year-old San Antonio Spurs star showed no rust in his first game back.
Murray led the Spurs to a 99-97 win over the Celtics. He finished with a near triple-double of 22 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. Murray continues his breakout season and it won't be surprising to see him move past third place in the NBA's Most Improved Player power rankings in the coming weeks.
#2 Miles Bridges
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 36; Games won - 18; Games lost - 19
Last Week: PPG - 17.3, APG - 3.3, RPG - 6.3
Overall: PPG - 19.5, APG - 3.7, RPG - 7.2
Last Week: FG% - 55.6%, 3P% - 38.5%, FT% - 63.6%
Overall: FG% - 47.7%, 3P% - 31.8%, FT% - 76.6%
Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets remains in second place in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bridges played in three games last week, averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. However, the Hornets only managed to win one out of three.
Bridges is the betting favorite to win Most Improved Player of the Year, but he has to show more if he really wants the award at the end of the season. Ja Morant is playing like a superstar at the moment and it would be hard to topple him in the MIP power rankings.
#1 Ja Morant
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 15; Games lost - 12
Last Week: PPG - 30.7, APG - 7.3, RPG - 5.7
Overall: PPG - 25.1, APG - 6.7, RPG - 5.7
Last Week: FG% - 57.4%, 3P% - 62.5%, FT% - 77.3%
Overall: FG% - 48.9%, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 77.2%
Ja Morant had another monster week for the Memphis Grizzlies. In three games that resulted in wins, Morant averaged 30.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists. He was also efficient from the field at 57.4% and from beyond the arc at 62.5%.
There's no denying that Morant is becoming a superstar in front of our eyes. He's a surefire first-time All-Star this season as long as he remains healthy. He also remains number one in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings.
Guess the Lakers players!
