Awarded for the first time at the end of the 1985-1986 season, the Most Improved Player (MIP) trophy can reward a player who has successfully entered a rotation after a difficult start to his career. This was particularly the case of Boris Diaw in 2006. Or to greet the arrival among the best elements of the NBA of a player who had not yet shown leadership until then. Tracy McGrady in 2001, for example, or Julius Randle this year.
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Powerful interior with a good passing quality and an excellent reading of the game, Randle had already shown a certain talent during his first six seasons in the NBA shared between the LA Lakers (2014-2018), New Orleans (2018- 2020) and New York. But it was only this season that the Texan got rid of the slag of a high-risk game and became a franchise player. He increased his production (from 19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists to 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 6 assists) and carried the Knicks on his back until the play-offs, where they were not expected at all ..
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Julius Randle succeeds Brandon Ingram, who also started his career with the Lakers before joining New Orleans. The first Knicks player to win this award, Randle was elected almost unanimously (98 votes out of 100 voting journalists). The other two votes for first place went to Jerami Grant (Detroit), second with a breath ahead of Michael Porter Jr (Denver). Christian Wood (Houston) finished 4th, Zach LaVine (Chicago) 5th.
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