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2021-22 NBA Awards: S-and-S Staff Roundtable

By Dylan Jackson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets argues with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after he is fouled by him in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 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 - JUNE 15: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets argues with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after he is fouled by him in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 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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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 08: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a three point shot against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Ball Arena on October 8, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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 C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 08: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a three point shot against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Ball Arena on October 8, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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 C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /

2021-22 NBA Awards Predictions: Most Improved Player

DJ: Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

Look, one of the Cavs players is going to have to become good eventually – and I think Garland could be that guy. Last season, he quietly averaged 17 points, two rebounds, and six assists per game on shooting splits of 45/40/85. If the Cavs are even semi-decent this year, his name will warrant consideration for this award.

SS: Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

Micahel Porter Jr. has a chance to insert himself as the go-to man for the Nuggets this season. He just received a massive contract, extending for five years, and can be worth up to $207 million, so the Nuggets believe he’s a super-star level talent. We’ve seen flashes of this talent so far in his career but not consistently throughout a whole season. If he can put it all together this year he should walk away with this award.

JP: Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets

Miles Bridges might not be on anyone’s radar to win most improved this season, but he has a shot. Last season Bridges flourished in his role and when someone needed to step up, he answered the call. Bridges came off the bench for the majority of last year, but this season expect him to start. If he maintains his play from the end of last season, look for Bridges to turn heads this season.

GM: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs

This feels like a sort of “perfect storm” situation to me. The vets are off the team, there are enough players alongside him for the team to at least be better than horrible, you know a Popovich team won’t fully tank, and Keldon showed some big flashes last season and had an Olympic experience that often transforms young players. Someone will have to get numbers for that team on their way to 30 wins and the 8th pick in the draft.

EB: Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

I’m in the camp that believes that Michael Porter, Jr. was always capable of the type of production he had this past season. The back injury he sustained in college, which subsequently caused him to slip in the draft, has led to Porter, Jr. being underrated by a large group of fans. With Jamal Murray’s uncertain timetable to return from his ACL tear, Porter Jr. will need to step up in order to keep Denver afloat in the Western Conference.

JH: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs

This one is an underrated pick as not many people have thought about Keldon Johnson for MIP but after spending a summer with the U.S. Olympic Team, Johnson is poised to have more experience and a breakout year on a San Antonio Spurs team that desperately needs a go-to scorer. Johnson is the perfect guy to fit in that role and should have every opportunity to break out.

MW: Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

I’ve always been a believer in Michael Porter Jr. and his ability to score the basketball. He showed flashes in the 2021 postseason with a Denver Nuggets team that was limping into the playoffs. With Jamal Murray returning, look for MPJ to continue to emerge as a lethal scorer with the pressure easing off of him a bit.

QE: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Not sure if Swarm and Sting readers are familiar with this guy. If you’re not, I highly recommend watching some of his highlights from last season! In all seriousness, Lamelo was an immediate difference-maker on the court last year– after having virtually no offseason to acclimate to the NBA. With a real summer to utilize this year, he should continue to improve his finishing and floater games (three-point floater when??), and get more comfortable with the Hornets swath of new players. Then factor in the (sad) departures of Devonte Graham and Malik Monk, which open up about 20 shot attempts per game for the Hornets to distribute, many of those going to Lamelo, a possible second-year “jump” looks even more likely. If he can up his scoring average to around 20, keep his shooting numbers similar to where they were last year, and marginally improve his assists and rebound numbers– all of which he is certainly capable of– he should find himself at the forefront of the MIP race.

JF: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

I’d really love to pick Mikal Bridges here because I think he’ll be the actual most improved player—regardless of award. However, history tells us that it will likely go to a player making his first all-star team. Morant is ready to take that leap and bring Memphis with him into the the stratosphere of serious threats in the West—maybe not as a legitimate title contender, but at least as a squad that gets circled on the rest of the league’s calendars.

Finally tally: Michael Porter Jr. (DEN) 3, Keldon Johnson (SAS) 2, Darius Garland (CLE) 1, Ja Morant (MEM) 1, LaMelo Ball (CLT) 1, Miles Bridges (CLT) 1

Takeaways: This award is all over the place – as it should be. This award can go to pretty much anyone, and it is never the odds-favorite prior to the year beginning. Michael Porter Jr. leads, though – as he just signed a massive extension to stay in Denver long-term.

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