2019 NBA Awards: Pascal Siakam Most Improved Player
Pascal Siakam continues his ascent upward and magical season as he snags Most Improved Player at the 2019 NBA Awards.
With six major individual categories in the NBA Awards, three were pretty much solidified entering the night. One of those was Most Improved Player who Pascal Siakam already seemed destined to win before the season completed.
The fact he continued his ascent in the post season only makes this award all the more logical. His competition came from Sacramento Kings sophomore point guard De’Aaron Fox and Brooklyn Nets point guard D’Angelo Russell.
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Both were worthy opponents and there were tons of others who missed the cut like OKC Thunder Jerami Grant.
As for the comparison stats here’s how the three nominees factored this season:
In his fourth season D’Angelo Russell posting per game stat averages of 21.1 points, 7.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 and connected from the perimeter 35.3 percent clip. That includes improvements of 5.6 points, 1.8 assists per game.
Likewise my favorite 2017 drafted point guard De’Aaron Fox posted 17.3 points, 7.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. That represented 5.7 points, 2.9 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 0.7 steals improvements respectively. And his increase on the perimeter from 30.7 percent to 37.1 was palpable.
But, the truth is Siakam not only posted amazing improvement across the board he became a full time starter while also becoming Robin to Kawhi Leonard‘s Batman.
His stats showcase these improvements with per game stats in 2019 of 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.7 blocks and shot 36.9 percent from deep.
That represents increases of 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists 0.1 steals, 0.2 blocks and a massive jump from the perimeter of 14.9 percent.
For those wondering these massive upgrades came as a starter as opposed to off the bench.
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Congrats to the Cameroonian star who made sure to note African kids aiming to meet their dreams in his speech.