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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: 2. Robert Williams III

If you want to talk about the perfect storm of events transpiring in a player’s favor to win this award, then look no further than center Robert Williams III of the Boston Celtics. To begin with, so often a player comes out of left field to storm to the award. To that end Williams is off to a great start, he is not exactly being spoken about as an early frontrunner in this category.

The Celtics have two All-Star level players in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, yet despite this are thought of as a rung or two below the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are a clear level ahead, while the Philadelphia 76ers (as precarious as their situation is right now), Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks will all be right there too.

Throw in the frisky New York Knicks, and if the breaks don’t go their way, the Celtics could be flirting with the play-in tournament. Which is where Williams comes in. If he can elevate his game to help the Celtics secure a top-four spot in the East, then that will be a big boost to the organization.

Eight points and 6.9 rebounds a game are such pedestrian numbers, and it is what Williams averaged last season. Still, it didn’t stop the Celtics from giving him a new deal for four years, $48 million, a contract which Williams himself said added a sense of urgency to how he is going to approach the season ahead.

There is little doubt those numbers will improve, and with a new contract kicking in from next season, Williams figures to have a bigger role on the team going forward as well. The traditional center position is going through something of a revival thanks to DeAndre Ayton and all he helped the Phoenix Suns with last year, with Williams standing to benefit from that.

To recap then, a young big man, on a new deal, who is sure to see his numbers and touches increase, all while playing next to two All-Stars? If that is not a recipe for success in the NBA, then it is hard to know what is. Blowing past these relatively modest expectations with so much in his favor could make Williams a surprise winner of the Most Improved Player award.