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NBA Mid-Season Awards: Updating the ballot for the half season

By Corey Rausch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Most Improved Player – Julius Randle

Honorable Mentions: Jerami Grant, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander

Quarter-Pole Choice: Jaylen Brown

The Most Improved Player award may be the toughest debate on the list. While most of the awards only have a few candidates there are nearly a dozen reasonable candidates for the list. At the moment Julius Randle is the hottest name in the race and therefore the favorite here.

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Randle was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and his improvement is much more than that. He is averaging a career-high in points (23.2), rebounds (11.1), assists (5.5) per game and 3-point percentage (40.8) and has acquitted himself well on both sides of the ball. The New York Knicks are one of the best stories in the league, over .500 this late in the season for the first time in eight years. They have the second-best defensive rating in the league. Randle is the face of this franchise and along with coach Tom Thibodeau, has changed the culture of this team.

Jerami Grant has taken a legitimate leap and has thrived in his role as the best player on the Detroit Pistons. He has slowed down in recent weeks or he would likely have been the choice here. He is the betting favorite but assuming the New York bias comes in he may not be able to survive the wave of Randle.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a revelation this season for the Oklahoma City Thunder as the primary offensive option. However, Randle also has the bonus of being on a winning team.