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As the 2021-22 NBA season continues, there's been many storylines to monitor during the opening month of action. Many teams across the league have impressed so far, including the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards. Other teams, such as the Atlanta Hawks and LA Lakers have gotten off to slow starts, thanks to inconsistent plays.
As the season progresses, the buzz around some of the notable awards around the NBA gets heated up as well. There have been some serious jumps in production around the league from many players compared to the previous season. On that note, here's a look at this week's installment of the Most Improved Player power rankings.
#5 Dejounte Murray
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 4; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 17.3, APG - 7.5, RPG - 7.5
Overall: PPG - 18.4, APG - 8.2, RPG - 7.9
Last Week: FG% - 44.4%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 77.8%
Overall: FG% - 44.5%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 73.9%.
Although the San Antonio Spurs have gotten off to a tough start in the 2021-22 NBA season, point guard Dejounte Murray has been a bright spot.
The versatile two-way guard continues to take strides forward in his game, and is off to a fabulous start in the opening month of play. Murray showed improvement to his game last year. But it looks as if the crafty floor general is taking another step forward this NBA season for the Spurs.
During the last week, Murray filled up the box scores in a big way. In four games, he averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. He continues to find himself right in the mix for the Most Improved Player of the year award. He should remain a part of the power rankings if his impressive performances continue.
#4 Jordan Poole
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 10; Games lost - 1
Last Week: PPG - 27.3, APG - 2.3, RPG - 2.3
Overall: PPG - 17.8, APG - 3.4, RPG - 2.9
Last Week: FG% - 57.1%, 3P% - 46.9%, FT% - 100%
Overall: FG% - 43.8%, 3P% - 32.2%, FT% - 95.0%.
There's no denying that Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole has been one of the most impressive players in the NBA this year. The Warriors have turned into the talk of the basketball world. They've shot out of the gate, and have been one of the most impressive teams this NBA season. One of the main reasons for the team's success has been the improved play of Jordan Poole.
The 22-year-old guard has lighted the scoring column. In the last week, Poole put up some remarkable performances.
In three NBA games, Poole averaged 27.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 57.1% from the field. Although Poole finds himself at fourth overall in this ranking, he could climb up if he continues to produce at this level.
#3 Tyler Herro
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 4; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 20.0, APG - 2.7, RPG - 4.0
Overall: PPG - 20.9, APG - 3.9, RPG - 5.3
Last Week: FG% - 51.0%, 3P% - 50.0%, FT% - 50.0%
Overall: FG% - 46.3%, 3P% - 42.3%, FT% - 84.0%.
As the 2021-22 NBA season wears on, it's becoming clear that Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro will be in the running for many awards.
Herro has been sensational with his play on the court. He has seen a huge jump in production across the board compared to that in his previous year. The Miami Heat find themselves near the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference, and Tyler Herro has been a big reason for that.
The 21-year-old guard has been outstanding with his play of late, and continues to be a lethal scoring option for the Heat on a nightly basis. In the last week, Herro averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 51.0% from the field and 50.0% from the three. He's trending in the right direction, and finds himself moving up the latest power rankings.
#2 Miles Bridges
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 0; Games lost - 4
Overall: Games played - 13; Games won - 6; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 19.0, APG - 4.5, RPG - 6.8
Overall: PPG - 21.3, APG - 3.5, RPG - 7.5
Last Week: FG% - 37.0%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 68.4%
Overall: FG% - 43.8%, 3P% - 34.4%, FT% - 78.0%.
It's difficult to talk about the most Improved Player award without mentioning Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges.
The 23-year-old wing has been more than impressive with his play on the court during the opening month of the regular season. After averaging 12.7 points per game during the 2020-21 season, Bridges has almost doubled his points per game tally this campaign.
It will be fascinating to see if Bridges can keep up his impressive performances on the court for the Charlotte Hornets. Although he struggled last week shooting the ball, he still filled up the box scores in a big way.
In four games last week, Bridges averaged 19.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He's going to be a serious candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year award if he continues this level of play.
#1 Ja Morant
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 6; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 18.3, APG - 6.0, RPG - 6.3
Overall: PPG - 26.5, APG - 7.3, RPG - 5.7
Last Week: FG% - 43.6%, 3P% - 14.3%, FT% - 46.2%
Overall: FG% - 48.5%, 3P% - 34.5%, FT% - 77.9%.
Throughout the opening month of the NBA season, one thing has been clear: Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is becoming a superstar.
The explosive guard has been one of the best players in the league this NBA season. Morant not only has become a favorite for the league's Most Improved Player award, but he's also quietly become a dark horse for the MVP conversation.
After averaging 19.1 points per game last year, Morant has seen a jump in his production across the board this season. He's currently averaging 26.5 points per game while also averaging career highs in rebounds (5.7) and steals (1.7). If Morant can continue to keep up this type of production, he's going to be a tough player to beat in the Most Improved Player award race.
Guess the Lakers players!
