06-07 Most Improved Player - Monta Ellis

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Monta Ellis won the Most Improved Player award this season with some nice averages. I think the Warriors making the playoffs for the first time in so long and he being the more improved of the two breakout players for the team (the other being Andris) helped his cause alot. At first I thought it should of been Al Jefferson, and guessed it was the Celtics woes this season that prevented him from bringing home the hardware. I think it was pretty damn close. Al Jefferson probably was the most improved overall statistically, but Monta was a huge help in the Warriors making the playoffs. I couldn't choose if I were the judge.

Monta Ellis: +9.7 PPG | +1.1 RPG | +2.5 APG | +1.1 SPG | +0.1 BPG

Al Jefferson: +8.1 PPG | +5.9 RPG | +0.8 APG | +0.2 SPG | +0.7 BPG

Kevin Martin: +9.4 PPG | +0.7 RPG | +0.9 APG | +0.4 SPG | +/- 0.0 BPG

Deron Williams: +5.4 PPG | +0.9 RPG | +4.8 APG | +0.2 SPG | +/-0.0 BPG

By the way, Amare Stoudemire got a first place vote

[BigKaboom2]

Ellis only started 3 games last year. I don't think he improved to a ridiculous extent, rather he just got more playing time.

Kevin Martin started 41 games last year and doubled his scoring average this year. He went from 10 PPG to 20, while Ellis went from 7 to 17.

Regardless, I fail at the award prediction game.

[Buckley]

I think that the fact that Ellis's team made the playoffs pushed him over Kevin Martin.

[Lamrock]

Yes! Monta is one of my favorite players! Even though I picked Deron in the prediction game (he should have gotten more votes), I'm happy for Ellis.

[maes]

I think expectation has a big part of the MIP vote. All these guys that are candidates are 1st round picks, and Deron is a lottery pick. There's expectation to perform as a 1st rounder.

Monta Ellis wasn't even a high 2nd rounder, he was picked #40. Guys like Brandon Bass & Ricky Sanchez were picked ahead of him.

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Good point. That or the NBA might be praying for the next Gilbert Arenas

[Jackal]

Funny you mention that given Gilbert was drafted late by...yep, Goldenstate.

[[Q]]

Funny you mention that given Gilbert was drafted late by...yep, Goldenstate.

I think Monta will stay loyal after his deal is up though. He seems to have a better attitude than Gilbert.

[Jackal]

It isn't that Gilbert has/had a bad attitude. Gilbert is just a bit...out there.

He decided on which team by flipping a coin. It was between the Warriors, Clippers and Wizards.

Obviously the Wizards won the coin toss.

[Anthony15]

Ellis had a good team and he was just a scorer, Martin shudve gotten it, he was playing better all around.

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Monta averages just 1.8 RPG less than Martin but also averages 1.9 APG better than Martin, pretty even. Ellis also averages 0.5 SPG more than Martin. They both shoot pretty much the same percentage, Ellis slightly higher. I would say they are pretty equal all round.

I still think Al Jefferson should be getting more recognition. He has become an offensive and defensive force this season.

[Matt]

Personally i thought it should have been Martin because he became the focal point of the Kings offense. Anyways, Ellis is a good choice, however as far as actual improvements that aren't necesserily in the box score, Al Jefferson takes the cake.

[Dan's Brain]

By the way, Amare Stoudemire got a first place vote

Someone was probably playing Live and made their vote based off the game's vote.

I'm happy enough with Ellis winning this, and this was actually the closest race for the award in its history.
Obviously, i'd have been happier if Martin had won it for the award prediction game, and even happier if Luol Deng had won it , but Monta has a great future ahead of him, and he and Don Nelson have made inroads to get the Warriors back to the run-TMC style. Early money for next season: Tyrus Thomas.

[Silas]

It isn't that Gilbert has/had a bad attitude. Gilbert is just a bit...out there.

He decided on which team by flipping a coin. It was between the Warriors, Clippers and Wizards.

Obviously the Wizards won the coin toss.

How in the hell do you decide from three choices by flipping a two-sided coin?

[BigKaboom2]

It isn't that Gilbert has/had a bad attitude. Gilbert is just a bit...out there.

He decided on which team by flipping a coin. It was between the Warriors, Clippers and Wizards.

Obviously the Wizards won the coin toss.

How in the hell do you decide from three choices by flipping a two-sided coin?

It's all a matter of finding the right coin, I would imagine.

[Indy]

He wanted to stay on the West Coast, so L.A. was heads, Golden State was tails, Washington was if the coin landed on its side. Wizards fans should feel damn lucky...

[1CenT]

I think Kmart should have gotten it, however i think Martin didn't play so well the end of the season and his team didn't do anything made him get a few less votes..

KMart was probably on the scouting report more than Ellis, Ellis had decent stats because, well he plays on a run and gun team.

So i felt KMart improved more.

[Clock]

I think expectation has a big part of the MIP vote. All these guys that are candidates are 1st round picks, and Deron is a lottery pick. There's expectation to perform as a 1st rounder.

Monta Ellis wasn't even a high 2nd rounder, he was picked #40. Guys like Brandon Bass & Ricky Sanchez were picked ahead of him.

My thoughts exactly.

[Andrew]

I can't say Ellis doesn't deserve it, though I thought the fact Martin became the go to player in Sacramento and showed considerable improvement despite his PT increasing by about nine minutes per game (compared to the sixteen additional minutes per contest Ellis saw this year compared to last) would give him the edge.

[TomCat]

I think Ellis was a great choice for the award, although K-Mart#2 was also a big chance and had a much better season than last. so i really cant choose. i would rather ellis win, i like him better

[sarella]

I feel happy for Ellis but as i am Philly fan hoped that the award would go to Iguodala...he made some pretty amazing games after Iverson was traded

[frenchy]

Good news for Ellis, hope for GS that he will continue to improve

But my choice was Kevin martin, he made an amazing season ! Believe me this guy will be all star very soon.

[TSquared]

hmm..yeah..i think iggy also deserved that..

[Indy]

Wow. I can't believe this is the same kid I went to camp with 7 years ago.

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Were his knees busted back then?

Anyway, am I the only one (other than Matt) that thinks Al Jefferson should be getting alot more talk than he is?