SSBA

Slowest time of the year for posting right now, so let's work on some end of the year awards.

Please nominate players you feel should be up for the most improved award.  Once we have enough nominations, we can run a poll to vote.

Antonio Lenard of the Celtics - After being put in the starting lineup, I would say he was a primary key in the Celtics playoff run.  He did double his minutes this year, but his 3 pt percentage also doubled this year as well. PLayed much better then anyone expected.

Rashard Lewis of the Grizzlies - Rashard had his best season as a pro, increasing his scoring over last year by 6 ppg, and significantly bumped up his FG% and his 3pt% this year, finally showing he can be a primary scoring option.

Dirk Nowitzki of the Sonics - increased his scoring average by 6 points this year, putting him in the upper echelon of offensive threats, while leading his team to a 2nd place finish in the division.

Nicklaus English of the Sonics - increased his assists by 1 apg, lowered his to's by 0.5, and incresed his scoring by 3.5 ppg.  IMO, probably more deserving then his teammate.

Please, add some more nominations.  Try and keep them from being players who just received more minutes.

If it works on a year-to-year basis, I would nominate Bob Diddle.

Vladimir Stepania! :)

I think Lenard is probably the most improved player. Though I think Chamberlain is up there.

My top 5:
1) Antonio Lenard (IMO the running away winner, but we don't know what he would have done before this year with increased minutes)
2) Chamberlain: The true definition of the award.  Minutes stayed consistent, production went up in every possible way (ppg, apg, topg down, 3ptm).
3) Yao Ming.  up nearly 6 ppg and 2 rpg, up in blocks.  How much did he improve and how much was a result of a 25 ppg scorer leaving giving him mor eopportunities?
4) Nicklaus English.  3.5 ppg, 1 apg, -0.4 topg, 48% fg.
5) Jamal Del Negro.  After having been a bust through his 2nd year (3.7 ppg, 13.6% 3pt, steady improvement culimating in 15.1 ppg, 39.6% 3pt%.  It'll be interesting what kind of contract he gets this summer with still an A potential.

I'm gonna have to vote for Lenard.  Not only did he bring his ppg up by 10, but he IMPROVED his efficiency while doing so, and has morphed into a viable #1 option.

I think Antonio Lenard deserves the award, then comes Chamberlain and English, but Lenard definitely should win.

I know i'm promoting my own guy here, but thats what he's done since being inserted as a starter and primary option (from sim4), compared to his time as backup:

MPG: 15 -> 32
PPG: 8.2 -> 22.0
RPG: 2.6 -> 5.1
APG: 0.9 -> 2.4
SPG: 0.9 -> 1.4
TPG: 0.7 -> 1.2
FG%: .450 -> .463
3P%: .310 -> .439
FT%: .869 -> .879

But the most important stat is this
Winning % last season with him as reserve: .460 (29-34)
Winning % this season with him as reserve: .222 (4-14)
Winning % this season with him as starter:  .670 (38-19)

That last number is what makes him so special for me, regardless of any awards he takes home with him.
 :D

Damn, I wanted Lenard before he blew up. I should have tried harder for him... :)

I actually wanted Shawn GEIGER from the Sonics and had to take on Lenard too to get him. Great unintentional comedy, looking back ...
 :lol:

Yeah, we're all saying that right about now :(

And that winning % is ridiculous.  One of the more incredible turnarounds I've seen in any league.

I wish that I never gave Lenard up.  But, without him, I wouldn't have been able to get Nowitzki (with Boykins)

What I don't understand is his FT and 3p%.  How can a guy with C+ outside do it is beyond my understanding.

He's a great athlete !

He actually dunks his freethrows and sometimes the 3pt attempts too ...

 8)