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NBA Awards Watch: Karl-Anthony Towns Blows The Competition Away

By Ben Nadeau

Dec 20, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) being defended by Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) in the 1st half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) being defended by Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) in the 1st half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Player of the Year

1. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns (Last Week: 1, –)

It’s a good thing that Eric Bledsoe has been borderline amazing this year because I was absolutely ready to die on this sword. Bledsoe has been so fantastic, so undeniably one of the most important players in the Western Conference, that it would be a disappointment for him to not earn his first All-Star appearance this February. Although the Suns have certainly had their fair of lackluster performances this year, Bledsoe has been relatively reliable along the way. If they want any hopes of keeping their playoff dreams alive, it looks like Bledsoe will have to carry them there.

Bledsoe’s Line of the Week: 12/18 vs NOP — 29 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 6 turnovers,  12-27 FG%
Week Grade: B

2. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors (Last Week: 2, –)

Klay Thompson recently called himself the best shooting guard in the league and while we say: hey, James Harden didn’t retire, did he? — it’s getting tough to leave him out of the conversation. While we likely won’t see what Thompson is able to do as the number one option for very a long time, he adds such an important dimension to the Golden State Warriors. Everybody expects Stephen Curry to be the star of the show on Christmas against the Cavaliers, but I’m going on record to say that the night will belong to Thompson.

Most Improved, indeed.

Thompson’s Line of the Week: 12/16 vs. PHX — 43 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 15-22 FG%, 8-13 3-PT%
Week Grade: A

3. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz (Last Week: 3, –)

Hayward is turning up the heat in Utah after a slow start and may have just completed his one of his best weeks yet. Pouring in a 70-point week, Hayward led the Jazz to a solid 2-1 record as they still try to deal with life without Rudy Gobert anchoring the middle. As always, Hayward chipped in across the board, took care of the ball, and hit a handful of threes along the way. With two monstrous games looming against the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers this week, now would be a nice time for Hayward to officially announce his intentions to the rest of the world.

Hayward’s Line of the Week: 12/18 vs. DEN — 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 8-17 FG%, 4-7 3-PT%
Week Grade: A-

Week 1: Eric Bledsoe
Week 2: Eric Bledsoe
Week 3: Eric Bledsoe
Week 4: Eric Bledsoe
Week 5: Eric Bledsoe
Week 6: Eric Bledsoe
Week 7: Eric Bledsoe
Week 8: Eric Bledsoe
Week 9: Eric Bledsoe

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