The latest ESPN Forecast panel has Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat taking home Most Improved Player over New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram.
Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo may be the clubhouse leader for Most Improved Player.
ESPN’s latest forecast panel gave the All-Star the honors over Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans. Adebayo transformed into a floor spacing, rim protecting All-Star this year.
The 22-year old big man split 35 percent of the votes with Ingram but 53 percent of his votes were for the first-place slot, totaling 106 points and giving him the lead.
He posted 16.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals in 65 appearances for Miami. His improvements are largely responsible for the Heat’s resurgence into an Eastern Conference power.
That and the arrival of top-15 talent Jimmy Butler of course. Their two man game has been catastrophic for opposing defenses, proving once again that Heat culture breeds wins.
Ingram has been solid for New Orleans this season no doubt, but has had his share of missed time and wasn’t voted in as a starting All-Star out West. The 22-year old forward averaged 24.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and one steal for a 28-36 Pelicans team.
Adebayo also earned votes for Defensive Player of the Year but was far from the top, sitting behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis, and…Patrick Beverly?
Miami boasted the league’s 14th best defensive rating but ranked fifth in opponent points in the paint, per NBA.com. As the ESPN Forecast panel implies, if voting was to take place today Bam Adebayo would likely walk with Most Improved Player honors.
Things could change however if the league resumes and Brandon Ingram gets an opportunity to push the New Orleans Pelicans towards a playoff berth.
The Miami Heat have a candidate for nearly each of the NBA’s annual awards, but the only clear cut leader right now is Bam Adebayo for Most Improved Player. His progress this year combined with the team’s success make him a prime candidate for the honors.