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NBA: 3 players with a shot to win Most Improved award

By Luke Duffy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Brooklyn Nets in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center at Barclays Center on May 22, 2021 in New York City. 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 Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Brooklyn Nets in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center at Barclays Center on May 22, 2021 in New York City. 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 Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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NBA players with a shot at Most Improved: 3. Lonzo Ball

By far the most obvious name on this list, Lonzo Ball is a player who will get a lot of attention this coming season no matter what. Now a part of a Chicago Bulls roster that features three former All-Stars in Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and the newly arrived DeMar DeRozan, Ball will have ample opportunities to set these guys up each night.

While with the Los Angeles Lakers he was scrutinized for not bursting onto the scene as a rookie, and with the New Orleans Pelicans he was part of one of the most dysfunctional organizations in the league. One that is breaking news about foot surgeries to star players unexpectedly at media days.

The Bulls are hardly the model of consistency, but they are serious about competing right now, and this will clearly stand to Ball. He averaged 7.2 assists in his rookie season, and that is a number he is easily going to get back to. LaVine and DeRozan are not known for their lockdown defending, which means when Ball does this diligently it will get noticed more if the Bulls are winning.

All three of the players on this list are here because they have a crucial piece that could really help their cause. The narrative of who they are as players and where they are at in their careers. There’s always been a feeling that the oldest Ball could be really good, but a stuttering start to his career, loudmouth father and an even better younger brother put the skids on all of that.

If Ball can continue to get better from deep (last season was a career-high 37.8 percent from 3-point range), be among the top seven or so players in assists and improve on the 14.6 points of last season (closer to the 18 range), then he is putting himself in the conversation. An All-Star nod would really solidify the case, but that seems a step too far at this point. Despite this, a strong campaign in a bigger market should really help Ball’s case.