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Week 18 Player Rankings: Year of the Dragon

By Chris Reichert

Mar 2, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard Goran Dragic (1) leaves the court after the second half at US Airways Center. The Phoenix Suns won the game 129-120. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard Goran Dragic (1) leaves the court after the second half at US Airways Center. The Phoenix Suns won the game 129-120. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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20. Isaiah Thomas

Feb 19, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings 101-.92. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (22) reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings 101-.92. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2014 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award goes to this man. The Kings are abysmal at 20-39 tied for last in the West (with the Lakers) but it is not at the fault of this young man. Thomas, as you might remember, was the 60th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and has got to be considered the ultimate steal of that draft.

Thomas is averaging 20.5 points and 6.4 assists (both career highs) while shooting 45.4 percent from the field. If he can improve his long range shot (only 36.9 percent from three), then the sky is the limit for this diminutive guard from the Pacific Northwest.

PER: 21.16