Nickeil Alexander-Walker follows Dyson Daniels to make the Hawks the first team with back-to-back Kia NBA Most Improved Player winners.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected this season’s recipient.
Complete voting results ⬇️
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Victor Wembanyama received a vote for the NBA Most Improved Player award.
San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama surprisingly received a vote for the NBA Most Improved Player award.
The NBA announced on Friday night that Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the overwhelming winner of the MIP award, which typically goes to the player who has the highest increase in scoring average from last year. Alexander-Walker increased his scoring average from 9.4 points per game last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves to 20.8 points per game in his first season with the Hawks. As the NBA noted, Alexander-Walker became the fifth qualified player in the last 35 seasons who increased their scoring average year-over-year by over 11 points.
Alexander-Walker was the clear winner of the award, earning 396 points, far ahead of second-place Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons, who had 254 points, and Portland Trail Blazers swingman Deni Avdija, who finished third place with 135 points. But taking a look at the other players who were given votes, there is one who stands out from the pack.
Wembanyama, who was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and who is a finalist for the NBA Most Valuable Player award this season, was given one single third-place vote for the Most Improved Player.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker follows Dyson Daniels to make the Hawks the first team with back-to-back Kia NBA Most Improved Player winners.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected this season’s recipient.
Complete voting results ⬇️
There is no doubt that Wembanyama had an amazing year, but the spirit of this award is to recognize lesser-known players who had significant jumps in their scoring average and/or their overall game. Someone like Alexander-Walker fits the award perfectly, but it is odd to see a superstar like Wembanyama get a vote for the MIP award when he is up for the MVP award.
Everyone knows that Wembyama is an elite talent, but he is not the MIP, and he should not have been given a vote to win the award.
Last year, Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 3.8 blocks per game, and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting .475/.352/.836 in 46 games. Those were incredible numbers, and they would have had him in consideration for the MVP award last year, but he didn’t meet the 65-game threshold to qualify for the NBA awards.
This year, Wembayama played 64 regular-season games plus the NBA Cup Final, averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.1 blocks, and 1 steal per game on .512/.349/.827 shooting splits. These are incredible numbers, and they have Wembyama in the thick of the MVP race. But he barely increased any of his numbers from last season, so it’s very odd to see him get consideration for the MIP award. Even if it’s just one third-place vote, some more deserving players should have gotten that vote instead.
At just 22 years of age, Wembanyama will be an MVP favorite for many years to come. He is the best defensive player in the league, and his offense was more efficient this season, too. As long as he stays healthy, he will be in the thick of things for the MVP award every year he plays 65 games and meets the award’s minimum games played threshold. But he’s not an MIP, and he shouldn’t have gotten a vote for it.
Adam Martin Adam Martin is a sports journalist with over 15 years of experience. He has a speciality in MMA, while also covering the Big 4 Sports. Adam is currently a contributor to Heavy.com, with previous experience working for The Toronto Star, Sportsnet, theScore, Bookies, BJPenn.com, and MMAOddsbreaker.com. More about Adam Martin
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