2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot

5 of 7

CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 26: Justin Anderson #1 celebrates with Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 26, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 144-99. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2022 NBA Awards Watch: Most Improved Player – Darius Garland

Honorable Mentions: Miles Bridges, Desmond Bane

Right now, the answer is Darius Garland. The fit with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland tended to favor the former over the first two years of Garland’s career. With Sexton out, Garland has shut the door on that for good.

He is averaging 19.7 points (up 2.3 from a season ago), 7.8 assists (up 1.7), 3.3 rebounds (up 0.9) and 1.3 steals (up 0.1) per game. He is attempting two more three-pointers per game and his efficiency has dipped, but not alarmingly so (39.5 to 37.0).

Garland is shooting nearly two percent better overall and remains an elite free throw shooter. Most importantly, the point guard is in the midst of proving he can be the offensive focal point for a playoff team.

Miles Bridges was the pick at the quarter-pole and remains on the ballot. His counting numbers have improved more than Garland (most notably his scoring jumping from 12.7 points to 19.6 points per game), but his efficiency has dipped across the board. In a race this close, that is enough to lose the lead.

Personally, I tend to not like putting a second-year player in the running for this award because they’re typically and expectedly is a jump from the first to the second season. Desmond Bane is the type that bucks that rule, making a different kind of leap.

He is redefining the future for the Memphis Grizzlies by becoming a legit second option on offense, averaging 17.5 points on shooting splits of .466/.420/.896. Evolving as a scorer truly changes the game.