David Blatt Makes His Move In The NBA Awards Watch
By Ben Nadeau
Most Improved Player
1. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns (Last Week: 1, –)
After starting off the season so surprisingly well, the Phoenix Suns have suddenly lost five of their last six, sinking near the bottom of OPP at 26th with 105.2 per game. So while, some of that blame can fall on the injury to Tyson Chandler, the team’s best rim protector and rebounder, the backcourt duo of Bledsoe and Brandon Knight need to do a better job on their end.
Some of that can be chalked up to difficult opposition like the Spurs, Warriors, and Raptors — but they’ll be disappointed to leave empty-handed in games against the Pelicans and Nets as well.
Bledsoe is still our odds-on favorite for the award, considering that should get back on track between now and Christmas with some winnable games and Chandler’s return. Life is tough in the Western Conference, but Bledsoe has done incredibly well so far, he just needs to do even better in order to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Bledsoe’s Line of the Week: 11/29 vs. TOR — 20 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 blocks, 3 TOs, 5-17 FG%
Week Grade: B
2. Danilo Gallinari, Denver Nuggets (Last Week: –, Up 2)
The Denver Nuggets are now in their predictable free fall and no amount of Danilo Gallinari shooting prowess can save them now. Life without Wilson Chandler has put tons of pressure on Gallinari to carry the scoring load for the Nuggets every night, which is a pretty tough ask, all things considered.
With Kenneth Faried struggling and Jusuf Nurkic still out, there aren’t often loads of rebounds or second-chance opportunities right now for Denver — which means forcing Gallinari to shoot in bunches, but with a low chance of continuing the possession off a miss.
If the Nuggets can get as healthy as possible, things will get better for Gallinari on the offensive end, but for now, he’ll likely struggle trying to be the sole source of scoring for this anemic squad.
Gallinari’s Line of the Week: 11/27 vs. SAS — 16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 5-15 FG%
Week Grade: B-
3. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics (Last Week: –, Up 1)
Marcus Smart has been at the forefront of the one of the NBA’s most compelling stories of the season and his tenacious defense is a huge reason why the Boston Celtics have succeeded thus far.
Look no further than their impressive chaos-creating defense with Smart on the court and then how suddenly the Celtics morph into an average team (that couldn’t stop the Nets two days after destroying them) without Smart’s perimeter efforts.
Smart’s inclusion may be a head scratcher but the Celtics have been just 3-3 since he got injured on November 20th. The bottom of the Eastern Conference is crowded this year, so the Celtics need Smart back ready to lead the defense once again as it’s so clear that he’s the cog that makes Brad Stevens’ defense click.
Smart’s Line of the Week: N/A
Week Grade: N/A
Bounced Out: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Honorable Mentions: Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers; Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks; Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves; Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz; Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz; Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Week 1: Eric Bledsoe
Week 2: Eric Bledsoe
Week 3: Eric Bledsoe
Week 4: Eric Bledsoe
Week 5: Eric Bledsoe
Week 6: Eric Bledsoe
Next: Splash On Fleek