“Take Me Off”: Luka Doncic Backs Hornets Guard For Most Improved Player Award
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Luka Doncic is an MVP candidate. Before Doncic had nagging injuries in 2020, he was considered to be up there with Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. However, James Harden improved over the last few months of the season and took the third spot in the MVP race.
The NBA added Doncic to the running for Most Improved Player, a discussion which was relatively quiet due to Doncic being in the MVP race. Before Doncic, the argument was for either Bam Adebayo or Brandon Ingram to win. Now, it seems like Doncic should snag the votes and win a second NBA award in just his second season.
However, Luka personally doesn’t see himself as a part of the MIP race. Instead, he believes that Devonte’ Graham of the Charlotte Hornets should be there in his place.
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Luka to me on MIP voting: “Who votes in this?”
Me: “Well, 100 of us, including me.”@luka7doncic: “Take me off the list and put @Devonte4Graham on there. I don’t deserve to be on there.”
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) August 9, 2020
Luka Doncic to win Most Improved Player?
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Both Devonte’ and Luka are sophomore year players in the league this season. Luka has been the more spectacular of the two easily. He won the 2019 Rookie of the Year award over Trae Young and Deandre Ayton. Graham wasn’t even in the conversation for ROTY, averaging under 5 points as a rookie. Luka averaged some of the best numbers we have ever seen a rookie average with 21.2 points, 6 assists, and 6.8 rebounds.
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Graham’s jump was big for the Charlotte Hornets, who needed a guard to fill the void of Kemba Walker. Terry Rozier wasn’t going to do it, so Devonte’ did. He is averaging 18.2 points this season with 7.5 assists. This jump is definitely bigger than Luka’s, but Graham’s horribly inefficient shooting is a big question mark. Graham shoots 38% from the field, which is amongst the lowest percentage in the league. Steph Curry has shot better from three every season of his career (except the injury-riddled 2019-20).
Doncic has jumped from 21 points to 29 points, which may not be as big an improvement as Graham’s, but there is no doubt he should be the MIP. You can argue the merits of him being voted here one season after winning rookie of the year, but he is averaging historic numbers for a sophomore player. With that being a reference point, there aren’t many sophomore players that were looked at as top-3 in MVP, not even LeBron James.
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We knew Luka was special on the court. Advocating for Devonte’ over himself just shows that he is also special off the court.
Source: Brad Townsend Twitter
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