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Almost a month into the 2021-22 NBA season, there have been a lot of exciting games and amazing plays, as well as unfortunate injuries and troubling controversies. The Golden State Warriors are reigning supreme early in the season with the best record in the league.
The Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards are making noise in the Eastern Conference, while the LA Lakers continue to struggle without the injured LeBron James. The Phoenix Suns have a ten-game winning streak despite issues surrounding their owner.
Ja Morant has also become an NBA superstar in front of our very eyes with his jaw-dropping performances this season. Meanwhile, Miles Bridges is no longer just a slasher, but almost a complete player. Take a look at this week's NBA Most Improved Player rankings to see if there are any movements or newcomers.
#5 OG Anunoby
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - NA
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 15; Games won - 7; Games lost - 8
Last Week: PPG - 22.0, APG - 2.0, RPG - 4.0
Overall: PPG - 20.1, APG - 2.7, RPG - 5.4
Last Week: FG% - 47.9%, 3P% - 45.5%, SPG - 1.7
Overall: FG% - 43.0%, 3P% - 36.6%, SPG - 1.5
OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors enters the NBA Most Improved Player rankings for the first time this season. Anunoby is having his breakout season with the Raptors, as he leads them in scoring with 20.1 points per game.
The 24-year-old star certainly took advantage of Pascal Siakam's absence, but he has shone despite the play of rookie Scottie Barnes and sniping point guard Fred VanVleet. Anunoby showcased his improved play in their last game against the Portland Trail Blazers by scoring 29 points on 47.4% shooting from the field and going 6-for-10 from behind the arc.
#4 Dejounte Murray
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 0; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 14; Games won - 4; Games lost - 10
Last Week: PPG - 21.0, APG - 7.7, RPG - 9.0
Overall: PPG - 18.9, APG - 8.1, RPG - 8.1
Last Week: FG% - 50.9%, 3P% - 33.3%, SPG - 2.0
Overall: FG% - 45.9%, 3P% - 33.3%, SPG - 2.1
The San Antonio Spurs are in a full blown rebuild and Dejounte Murray is at the helm of it. Murray may be in his fifth season in the NBA, but he's finally having a breakout season as the Spurs' primary option on offense. He has rewarded them with near triple-double averages of 18.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game this season.
That is one of the reasons why Murray has climbed to fourth in the NBA's Most Improved Player rankings this week. The 25-year-old guard registered his second triple-double of the season against the LA Lakers. He's already third on the franchise's all-time triple-double list and the fastest player in Spurs history to register 250 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists to start the season.
#3 Tyler Herro
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 15; Games won - 10; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 23.8, APG - 4.0, RPG - 6.3
Overall: PPG - 21.7, APG - 3.9, RPG - 5.5
Last Week: FG% - 43.4%, 3P% - 30.0%, SPG - 1.3
Overall: FG% - 45.4%, 3P% - 38.9%, SPG - 0.5
Tyler Herro raised some eyebrows during the preseason when he commented that he belongs in the same breath as Luka Doncic, Trae Young and other young superstars of the NBA. Herro has not reached that level yet, but he's having a breakout season after struggling last season.
In the first two weeks of the season, Herro was the early favorite to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year. But a handful of injuries to Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry pushed him into the starting lineup and he's excelled. That's why he retains his place in the NBA Most Improved Player ranking at third.
Herro had a complete game against the OKC Thunder last November 15th with 26 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. He shot the ball really well at 50.0% from the field and going 5-for-8 from beyond the arc.
#2 Miles Bridges
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 16; Games won - 9; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 21.0, APG - 4.0, RPG - 7.3
Overall: PPG - 21.3, APG - 3.6, RPG - 7.5
Last Week: FG% - 52.1%, 3P% - 30.0%, FT% - 58.3%
Overall: FG% - 45.3%, 3P% - 33.6%, FT% - 74.6%
Miles Bridges barely hangs on to his spot in the NBA Most Improved Player rankings. Bridges edged out Tyler Herro because the Charlotte Hornets went 3-0 last week that included a big win over the Golden State Warriors.
In that game, Bridges had 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists while shooting 56.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. He also hit the go-ahead bucket with 40 seconds left in the game.
The 23-year-old star is having a breakout season as the second option for the Hornets. The problem with Bridges in his first two years in the NBA was consistency, but he's been really consistent this season.
#1 Ja Morant
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 14; Games won - 7; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 23.3, APG - 7.3, RPG - 9.0
Overall: PPG - 25.9, APG - 7.3, RPG - 6.4
Last Week: FG% - 52.9%, 3P% - 53.8%, SPG - 1.3
Overall: FG% - 49.3%, 3P% - 38.2%, SPG - 1.3
Ja Morant retains his spot atop the NBA Most Improved Player rankings this week. Despite lower scoring averages compared to previous weeks, Morant was more efficient from the field and in the three-point area.
The 22-year-old point guard is turning heads with his performances this season. His highlight dunks and leaps are just an added bonus to what he can do on the court. Morant is a superstar-in-the-making and could become one this season. He's on the path to becoming a first-time NBA All-Star and quite possibly the 2021-22 NBA Most Improved Player.
