NBA (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
While it is not the gaudiest award, it is always interesting to see which NBA player takes home the Most Improved Player award each year.
It is often a player that bursts onto the scene and surprises everyone, beginning their trajectory to stardom. Last year’s winner was Julius Randle, who was selected to his very first All-Star game and All-NBA team as he led the New York Knicks to the postseason for the first time in a long time. Randle was not the betting favorite for most last season, as this is an award that is always hard to predict. There are always candidates that many believe can take that leap compared to their previous season, and here are five potential dark horse picks that could make their way into the conversation in 2021-22.
Jordan Poole could be a dark horse candidate for 2021-22 NBA M.I.P.
The Golden State Warriors are a sleeper team to come out of the Western Conference in the eyes of many this coming season, and they might also have a dark horse pick for Most Improved Player. Entering his third season with Golden State, Jordan Poole seems ready to take on a more prominent role as he had been electric during the preseason.
In five preseason games, Poole averaged 21.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, three assists, and one steal per game. Offensively, the guard displayed confidence by shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from long range. While this red hot preseason does not mean the 22-year-old will immediately translate these numbers over into the regular season, he could certainly take a jump compared to where he was at last year.
During his 51 appearances last season, Poole averaged 12 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He could easily improve those numbers across the board this coming season, particularly as the team will need some help in the backcourt alongside Stephen Curry as Klay Thompson is working his way back from injury. After this strong preseason play, Poole could potentially be the team’s starting two-guard until Thompson is cleared to return, which would help his case in the race for Most Improved Player. Time will tell, but keep an eye on Poole as the Warriors look to bounce back this coming season after missing the playoffs in each of the past two years.
NBA player takes home the Most Improved Player award each year.</p>
<p>It is often a player that bursts onto the scene and surprises everyone, beginning their trajectory to stardom. Last year’s winner was Julius Randle, who was selected to his very first All-Star game and All-NBA team as he led the New York Knicks to the postseason for the first time in a long time. Randle was not the betting favorite for most last season, as this is an award that is always hard to predict. There are always candidates that many believe can take that leap compared to their previous season, and here are five potential dark horse picks that could make their way into the conversation in 2021-22.</p>
<h2>Jordan Poole could be a dark horse candidate for 2021-22 NBA M.I.P.</h2>
<p>The Golden State Warriors are a sleeper team to come out of the Western Conference in the eyes of many this coming season, and they might also have a dark horse pick for Most Improved Player. Entering his third season with Golden State, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/poolejo01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Jordan Poole</a> seems ready to take on a more prominent role as he had been electric during the preseason.</p>
<p>In five preseason games, Poole averaged 21.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, three assists, and one steal per game. Offensively, the guard displayed confidence by shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from long range. While this red hot preseason does not mean the 22-year-old will immediately translate these numbers over into the regular season, he could certainly take a jump compared to where he was at last year.</p>
<p>During his 51 appearances last season, Poole averaged 12 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He could easily improve those numbers across the board this coming season, particularly as the team will need some help in the backcourt alongside Stephen Curry as Klay Thompson is working his way back from injury. After this strong preseason play, Poole could potentially be the team’s starting two-guard until Thompson is cleared to return, which would help his case in the race for Most Improved Player. Time will tell, but keep an eye on Poole as the Warriors look to bounce back this coming season after missing the playoffs in each of the past two years.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Jalen Brunson </a>
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<img class="wp-image-436810 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1346649799.jpeg" alt="NBA, Dallas Mavericks: Jalen Brunson, Jason Kidd" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1346649799.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1346649799-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 13 (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Jalen Brunson could be a dark horse candidate for 2021-22 NBA M.I.P.</h2>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brunsja01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Jalen Brunson</a> has proven to be a steal for the Dallas Mavericks after they took him in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. After three solid seasons with Dallas, Brunson is entering a contract year, which could decide his future with the franchise. After putting up career-high numbers in the 2020-21 season, extending him seemed like a no-brainer, but perhaps the Mavericks want to see more from him, and taking another step this coming season would help in that regard.</p>
<p>Having averaged 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season, Brunson proved to be a valuable piece off the bench for Dallas. In fact, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2021.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">he finished fourth in the Sixth Man of the Year</a> race for his efforts. Due to his efficient scoring and playmaking, Brunson is an excellent fit for this Dallas team because he provides much-needed offense when Luka Doncic is off the floor. Doncic’s supporting cast has been a hot topic of discussion when evaluating the Mavericks, but there is no doubt that Brunson has largely done his part.</p>
<p>With a significant role tailor-made for him in Dallas, Brunson seems destined to take another step in the right direction this coming season. The biggest potential roadblock for him to win the M.I.P. is that he will likely come off the bench, as the spark he provides there is crucial to this team. Still, with no shortage of motivation due to his upcoming contract year, Brunson should be out to prove that he belongs in Dallas for the long haul, and winning Most Improved Player along the way would certainly help his case as he looks to earn that new deal.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Tyrese Maxey </a>
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<img class="wp-image-430488 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2021%2F06%2F1318187678.jpeg" alt="NBA, Philadelphia 76ers: Tyrese Maxey" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/06/1318187678.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/06/1318187678-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 13 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Tyrese Maxey could be a dark horse candidate for 2021-22 NBA M.I.P.</h2>
<p>After being selected with the 21st pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/maxeyty01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Tyrese Maxey</a> had a solid rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers. As he looks to take a leap entering his second season, the guard could quietly be a sleeper pick for Most Improved Player honors due to the predicament that is currently dominating headlines in Philadelphia and the rest of the association.</p>
<p>Of course,<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/11/sixers-ben-simmons-chaotic-return/"> that is the ongoing Ben Simmons dilemma.</a> Simmons made it clear this offseason that he wants to be traded from the 76ers and even held out of training camp. Although reports have indicated that he has returned to Philadelphia, it seems clear that Simmons still wants out. In the event that he inevitably gets traded elsewhere at some point, the door could be open for Maxey to take on a more significant role for this team.</p>
<p>During his rookie season, Maxey averaged eight points and two assists in 15.3 minutes per game. He came off the bench in all but eight games last season and proved to be a solid spark plug in the second unit due to his scoring and playmaking. Who knows how Simmons’ situation will end up, but Maxey should see a larger role throughout his sophomore season regardless. Could Maxey be a starter for this team? It is debatable, but they are clearly high on him and what he brings to the table, which could help ease him into that role. That would allow the guard to shine and improve his numbers from a year ago.</p>
<p>Maxey was solid for the 76ers during the preseason by averaging 13.3 points and 3.7 assists in 21.8 minutes per game. Although it comes in a small sample size of just three games, he looked like he belonged out there and that he is ready for more. With a bigger role in year two, Maxey could be an underrated pick to take home the honors, especially if he is named a starter.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Terance Mann </a>
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<img class="wp-image-432033 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1319822532.jpeg" alt="LA Clippers: Terance Mann" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1319822532.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1319822532-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 14 (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Terance Mann could be a dark horse candidate for 2021-22 NBA M.I.P.</h2>
<p>Prior to last season, most NBA fans were unfamiliar with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mannte01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Terance Mann</a> of the LA Clippers. After playing scarcely during his rookie season in 2019-20, the guard received a much more significant role in the 2020-21 season, which finally put him on the map. His minutes increased from 8.8 to 18.9 over the first two seasons of his career, and he is slated to play a bigger role for the franchise this year, which will give him the opportunity to shine.</p>
<p>With superstar forward Kawhi Leonard set to miss a significant portion of the season as he rehabs from ACL surgery, the Clips will need players to step up in his absence. All-Star Paul George will shoulder much of the burden, but Mann is a player that could also help keep this team afloat. He was solid for the Clippers in last season’s playoff run by averaging 7.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per contest. Mann had a breakout performance in the postseason as he dropped a new career-high 39 points to help the Clippers win against the Utah Jazz in a Game 6 matchup. He has the potential to be a key piece for this franchise, and it could be unearthed this coming season.</p>
<p>Mann showed positive signs in the preseason as he averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across four games. The Clippers believe this as they handed the 24-year-old guard an extension recently. They envision him being an essential piece of their core moving forward, and this season should be his best yet as the Clippers look to build off their first Conference Finals outing in franchise history.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Jordan Nwora </a>
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<img class="wp-image-436635 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1235781017.jpeg" alt="NBA, Milwaukee Bucks: Jordan Nwora" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1235781017.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1235781017-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08 (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Jordan Nwora could be a dark horse candidate for 2021-22 NBA M.I.P.</h2>
<p>Not too many casual NBA fans will know too much about <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nworajo01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Jordan Nwora</a>, and understandably so. The forward was buried on the bench of the Milwaukee Bucks throughout his rookie season and hardly played throughout the team’s triumphant title-winning campaign. While his playing time was scarce, he showed potential consistently whenever he hit the floor, and it looks like Nwora is destined for a more prominent role with the defending champions in 2021-22.</p>
<p>Nwora had been fantastic for the Bucks in the preseason by averaging 17.8 points while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor and a red-hot 41.2 percent from deep. Scoring has always been Nwora’s bread and butter, and he was often viewed as a one-dimensional player. However, he has looked more well-rounded during this preseason with his facilitating, defense, and overall performance. Nwora could be a legitimate rotational piece for the Bucks this coming season, and if he can build off his impressive preseason, he could sneak his way into the Most Improved Player conversation.</p>
<p>During his rookie season, Nwora averaged just 5.7 points, two rebounds, and 0.2 assists while playing 9.1 minutes per game. He was efficient on the offensive end by shooting 45.9 percent from the floor and 45.2 percent from deep. With more playing time, the forward could showcase his high-octane offense more consistently and increase those scoring averages tremendously. This is a player that could average double figures on a nightly basis, and improvement like that would undeniably catch some attention.</p>
<p>The biggest question is just how big of a role Nwora will play for the Bucks. His preseason play has likely increased his stock within the organization, but he will have to prove that he can hold up on the defensive end for a team that prides itself on that side as the Bucks do. If he can take that next step, the former second-round pick could end up being a hidden gem, helping the rich get richer as they look to defend their title in 2021-22. Playing alongside stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton will make it hard for Nwora to command the spotlight, but there is legit reason to believe that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/nba-5-dark-horse-candidates-improved/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/11/milwaukee-bucks-jordan-nwora/">he could be poised for a breakout season.</a></p>
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