[Striver347Participant]

 …will be a Trail Blazer. Super intrigued to see who rises since there will definitely be some addition by subtraction this year. The Blazers have 4-6 guys who could all legitimately compete for the title (Collins, Whiteside, Hezonja, Simons, Bazemore, Hood) and there will be ample time for all of the to take their stab at it.

 

I also believe the Blazers will finish ahead of the Rockets and Jazz at the end of the regular season. Any predictions for the Blazers final record?

 

I think 53-29 is a healthy prediction, +/- 2 games!

[kazamParticipant]

 I’m going to go either De’Aaron Fox or Jayson Tatum. Tatum was down last year and will be looking to bounce back.

I believe in Fox to be one of the next elite level point guards and think he could make a big jump statistically this year- virtually all of his numbers jumped last year and should continue to improve.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Can Siakam win twice in a row?

[BlueRivers25Participant]

 Not without Kawhi carry him. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Lonzo

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 I’m going Lonzo as well..out of the LA spotlight, less pressure, kicked his pops to the curve. I think he has a great year. 

[BlueRivers25Participant]

Have you seen his jump shot? He should win MIP based on that alone. 

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 Jaren Jackson jr. He competes on both sides of the court. 

[high floorParticipant]

Jayson Tatum, OG Anunoby, DeJounte Murray, Delon Wright, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jonathan Isaac, Lauri Markkanen, Bam Adebayo, Jaren Jackson, Landry Shamet

Lot’s of 2018 draftee’s. Great class

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

John Collins or Trae Young, I think they can win this year if the hawks makes the playoffs and John and Trae makes the playoffs and surpirise alot of people

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

 Tatum, Montrezl, D-Lo, Cauley-Stein, Sabonis, Aaron Gordon. I think Adebayo, Zach Collins, are a couple years away. A second year player has never won MIP. 

[WetalkinboutpracticeParticipant]

 Truthfully don’t even think second year players should be considered for the award. The adjustment from amateur to pro level can’t be understated (especially from NCAA where the season is 40 games at the most). Which is why we praise Rookies who come in and are magnificent in year one. It’s only natural for platers to perform better (or make a leap) from rookie to sophomore year. A lot of folks were clamoring for Fox to get the award last year and I just didn’t get it.

[The GoatParticipant]

WCS, Fultz and Hezonja will be in the frame as popular choices. It just depends on media around the player. If Simmons hits threes, Sixers get the 1 seed and he makes all NBA, does he get it? If Markannen makes an all star leap, how about him? 

I’m going to say Delon Wright. 

 

 

[d-ravParticipant]

With Dipo out indefinitely, TJ should be the focal option offensively. Certified bucket, can score in various ways (albeit without flash), averaging 18 & 19 ppg the past 2 seasons as a 2nd option  

[festar35Participant]

I’m still holding out hope that Myles Turner or Domantas Sabonis breakout completely this season, Brogdon probably has a very good chance as well given he will likely start as our #1 option.

In saying all that I’m going with Lonzo Ball or Bam Adebayo to have really solid seasons with Lonzo being healthy & Bam becoming a fulltime starter. My dark horse is Jonathan Isaac.

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Edrice "Bam" Adebayo is my pick for Most Improved Player.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

Zach Collins, jayson Tatum, Jonathan Isaac, Bam Adebayo are some names from the 2017 draft that jump out at me, as they should all have more opportunity this year. I guess you could throw fultz in that mix as well (he doesn’t really have anywhere to go but up at this point). If the raptors do wind up moving Lowry at some point (or even if they don’t) I’d keep my eye on Fred van vleet as well. 

Its rare that this award goes to a player who was already an all-star the previous season but if Simmons starts to make jumpers at a semi-respectable rate and becomes more of a complete offensive player he could definitely be in the discussion. 

Jamal Murray, Derrick white, SGA, Mikal bridges, Myles turner, brogdon, Kevin huerter, Alex Caruso are some other names I’d consider.

 

[r377Participant]

 Put me down for van fleet, Bam or Jamal Murray.

No one mentioned Ingram ?

[high floorParticipant]

He’ll thrive in transition, and if his 3-ball develops (definitely possible) he could drop 21ppg per night with some pretty good assist numbers on good efficiency. His defense took a bit of a dip last year, but he still has some potential on that end of the floor. At least average, starter level D.

He might be the most overlooked player in the league right now……. as there’s just a ridiculous amount of talent spread out through the NBA today. Compare the NBA today to like 2006….. crazy.

I’m with you on Ingram.

[2quick4uParticipant]

My top 3 candidates are Tatum, Lonzo and Brogdon.

I think that many of the players mentioned like Siakam, Ingram, Murray, TJ Warren, Collins, Turner, Sabonis, Markkanen or Fox do not have enough statistical margin of improvement in order to get the award and others like JJJ, SGA or Trae Young will be Sophmores and usually these players don’t get the trophy. 

Out of other players mentioned only Adebayo and J.Isaac could have some chances as i believe that Isaac could make the 1st all defensive and Orlando could finish as high as 5th in the East.

Another name not mentioned with some chances could be T.Rozier but i think the Hornets will be a mess and even though he will improve vastly his numbers, the winning factor will favor other players.

Here’s a quick review of my 3 candidates:

. Tatum- He has the talent and the chance to become already the franchise player for Boston, in fact he already did his rookie year putting a team full of injuries on his back and almost taking it to the NBA Finals. He also has a lot room to improve his numbers from last year and could easily average 20-22 pts/g with a 47-48% FG while leading the team to the top 4 in the East.

. Lonzo- I’m a Lonzo believer as i think he has a very unique talent and all the tools needed to succeed in today’s game. He starts fresh without the long shades of Lavar and Lebron and will finally display all his talent in arguably the most fun team to watch next season. He also has a lot of room to improve last year’s numbers flirting with triple-double while NO competes for the 8th seed in the West. He could average something like 15pts/8rb/9ast/2stl while improving significantly his shooting efficiency; don’t forget Lonzo shot 55% FG in college…

. Brogdon- He is one of the most efficient players in the league and he already had very good numbers playing along demanding ball players like the Freak and Middleton, so if Dipo misses some time his numbers could really boost in Indiana while the team finishes as a top 4 seed. He could average something like 18-20 pts/5rb/8ast with a great defense and an absurd efficiency. 

If i have to choose, i think that at the end it will be a hand to hand between Lonzo and Tatum and the trophy will finally go to Jason Tatum.

 

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