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Lonzo Ball is the Most Improved Player in the NBA this season

By Thomas J. Brown

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 04: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 04, 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 04: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 04, 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Lonzo Ball
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 29: LaMelo Ball (2) of the Charlotte Hornets and brother Lonzo Ball (2) of the Chicago Bulls chase a loose ball at United Center on November 29, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Why Lonzo Ball is the Most Improved Player: Improvement as a defender

Even when he was a member of the UCLA Bruins, Lonzo Ball was known as an elite perimeter defender. At 6-6, his wingspan and quickness make it tough for opposing guards to execute pinpoint passes with precision and accuracy. Ball has a knack for making deflections, coming up with steals, and winning the battle for loose balls.

This season, Lonzo Ball’s defensive contributions have reached an all-time high. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is notorious for being a defensive strategist. Under his guidance, Lonzo Ball has become a terror on the defensive side of the ball.

So far this season he is averaging 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game – both career-highs. When the opposing team’s point guard is forced to battle his defensive prowess the whole game, their entire offense is disrupted.

Over the years, defense-first guards have proven to be a valuable commodity in the NBA. The first year the Defensive Player of The Year Award was issued, it went to a guard named Sidney Moncrieff of the Milwaukee Bucks. Years later, another point guard by the name of Gary Payton would take home the same hardware as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics. Today, both men are in the Hall of Fame.

While Lonzo Ball will not win the Defensive Player of the Year, and Hall of Fame projections are very premature, the impact he is having on that side of the ball cannot be understated. It’s one of the main reasons he’s the Most Improved Player in the NBA this season.

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