Most Improved Player Or Most Valuable Player?

It’s been a breakout season for Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which has resulted in the team winning more games than projected to this point.

The rising star has averaged 32.3 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per contest in the 2022-23 campaign. Furthermore, he’s doing it on incredible efficiency, shooting 40% from distance, 90.6% from the line and 54.6% from the floor overall.

These numbers have vaulted Gilgeous-Alexander into being the heavy favorite for the NBA Most Improved Player Award in Vegas.

He’s increased his points by 7.8 per contest, which is mostly driven by a 10% improvement from beyond the arc, a 9.6% increase in free throw efficiency and 9.3% uplift from the field.

Simply put, the 23-year-old has been impossible for opposing teams to defend. He scores anytime he wants to from all three levels.

“I feel bad for the dudes we go against that got to guard Shai, honestly.” Lu Dort said recenrtly. “He’s got the full package. You don’t know what he’s going to do, go to the rim, give it to the bigs or shoot a three, so you just have to guess and try your best.”

Not only is Gilgeous-Alexander the NBA’s third leading scorer, but he’s carried his team to a 7-8 record thus far. This has included a game-winner on a career night earlier this week as well as fueling many other late game comeback victories.

Winning this award would be a huge step in the right direction for both Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City. As the team continues its rebuild, having a legitimate star will only expedite that process.

When looking at previous winners of this award, it goes to show the type of trajectory Gilgeous-Alexander could be on if he ends up winning it this season.

• 2022: Ja Morant
• 2021: Julius Randle
• 2020: Brandon Ingram
• 2019: Pascal Siakam
• 2018: Victor Oladipo
• 2017: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• 2016: CJ McCollum
• 2015: Jimmy Butler

Outside of Oladipo, who is a unique case given all of his injuries, every single one of these players has emerged as a star after winning the award for most improved player. Additionally, every single winner of this award has made an NBA All-Star game at least once.

Gilgeous-Alexander is still seeking his first appearance as an NBA All-Star, but is certainly on track this season.

With that in mind, Gilgeous-Alexander should arguably in the race for an even more prestigious accomplishment. His performance this season is legitimately at an MVP level.

While he only has the 15th highest odds according to Vegas to win the award, there’s a case to be made that he should be much higher. He’s likely lower on that list due to the probability that the Thunder will miss the playoffs, which is essentially a requirement for any player to win the award historically.

Taking wins and losses out of the equation, Gilgeous-Alexander has statistically been a top five or ten player in the entire league this season.

Here’s how he ranks among his peers across the NBA per game:

• Points: #3
• Assists: #29
• Rebounds: #35 (Among Guards)
• Steals: #6
• Blocks: #1 (Among Guards)
• Field Goals Made: #1
• Free Throws Made: #7

The assist and rebound numbers could certainly improve, but you also have to consider Gilgeous-Alexander is playing alongside Josh Giddey who produces a ton of both. In nearly every other statistical category, Gilgeous-Alexander is in the top ten of the entire NBA.

He’s even emerged as a defensive disruptor and has made crucial plays on that end all season.

While at the moment Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on track to win NBA Most Improved Player and get an All-Star nod, he’s not out of the picture to be in the MVP conversation if he keeps this up.

At minimum, if the season ended today, he’d be on one of the All-NBA teams.