Could Jalen Williams Win Most Improved Player?
It's not typical for second-year players to win the NBA's Most Improved Player Award. The honor usually goes to a third or fourth year player who takes the next step in his progression. It's not impossible, though.
If there's a second-year rising star that has a chance to do it, Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams might be the one. It would take a massive season on both ends of the floor, but Williams is talented enough to make the leap.
We've already seen Williams rapidly improve in a short span of time, and it occured towards the end of last season. The Santa Clara product averaged 18.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on 54.6% shooting and 42.9% from 3-point range after the All Star Break a season ago.
If Williams manages to maintain those numbers over the course of a full season, it's certainly a possibility. On a team like the Thunder, and next to a player like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it's possible he could take it a level beyond that, too. If the high flying wing is anywhere close to an All Star, he should easily be in contention for the Most Improved Player Award, and it's not out of the realm of possibility.
In Oklahoma City's first game of the season, Williams was able to showcase his isolation skills and it was clear the Thunder wanted the ball in his hands. In minutes with Gilgeous-Alexander on the bench, it seemed like Williams was to primary scoring option on the floor. He'll have a chance to be SGA's No. 2 and settle into his role as the season goes on.
Williams played 31 minutes in a blowout win against Chicago on Wednesday and put up 16 points and five assists on 5-of-11 shooting. When the games are closer and the Thunder needs buckets in numbers, Williams will surely take more than 11 shots. But he played a consistent, conservative game and will continue to settle in.
If Oklahoma City reaches the playoffs, it's likely because Williams took a massive leap. And if that leap is big enough, he has a chance to be in the running for the NBA's Most Improved Player.
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