2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 10 Most Improved Player Candidates

Nov 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks the ball in the third quarter against Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Denver Nuggets 108-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 2, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball defended by Miami Heat forward Luke Babbitt (5) during the second half the at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Nikola Jokic

It may seem a bit hasty to give Most Improved Player votes to a second-year stud like Nikola Jokic. After all, we expect most young players to significantly improve in their second or third years following rookie seasons that feel more like testing the waters.

But Jokic went from being a pleasant surprise as a rookie to a bonafide superstar over the course of one season. Though he came off the bench for too long early in his sophomore season, Jokic was an absolute offensive powerhouse after that, averaging 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.8 steals per game overall.

The Joker finished his stellar second season with six triple-doubles, placing him fourth in the entire league and giving him the most by an international player for a single season in NBA history. Though he only shot 32.4 percent from downtown, Jokic was an incredibly efficient 57.8 percent from the floor overall and has already established himself as perhaps the league’s best passing big.

The Denver Nuggets were unable to hold on for a playoff spot, and most people expected something of a breakout year for the 22-year-old anyway. But there’s no doubt the Joker made the leap into the superstar conversation, and that’s quite a major step for any player, no matter what year of their career.