Post by springs on Jul 15, 2014 15:12:13 GMT
I did one of these a few seasons ago, here's the new edition. This is based on stats only, not ratings. It's not in order but the bigger improvements are towards the top of the list. It's hard to spot the ones who don't score alot so I probably missed a few. We're only about 1/4 through the season so some of these players are probably running hot and will cool down a bit. But for now, these are the most improved players in the league.
DET - Lance Stephenson
Last Year: 19.3 ppg / 1.5 spg / .446 fg% / .348 3p%
This Year: 26.0 ppg / 2.3 spg / .511 fg% / .455 3p%
Lance is 45/99 from three this year. This is nasty. His efficiency has exploded in his second season with the Pistons. Lance is looking like a superstar in the league if his production stays anywhere close to this.
MIA - Anthony Davis
Last Year: 16.5 ppg / 9.1 rpg / .425 fg% / .706 ft%
This Year: 23.7 ppg / 10.6 rpg / .493 fg% / .812 ft%
Yep, Anthony Davis has arrived in his 4th season. He's become crazy efficient while playing 35 mpg this year. Lots of ASG appearances in a row coming up for this monster. He's getting to the stripe a solid 8 times a game where he shoots over 80%.
IND - Harrison Barnes
Last Year: 13.0 ppg / .428 fg% / .699 ft%
This Year: 21.9 ppg / .459 fg% / .764 ft%
Seems to have found his stroke this year. He's been more efficient while taking on a bigger offensive load through 29 games. His other numbers are up a tiny bit while playing 2.6 more mpg this year for the Pacers.
UTA - Nikola Mirotic
Last Year: 14.7 ppg / 7.0 rpg / 2.4 bpg / .396 3p%
This Year: 23.4 ppg / 8.6 rpg / 3.4 bpg / .500 3p%
33/66 from 3 point land in 24 games so far this year. He's taking about 18.5 fga per game this year and producing at an incredible rate. Only 5 mpg increase since last year but scoring 8.7 more per game. Dude went full beast.
LAC - Joel Embiid
Last Year: 9.2 ppg / 9.5 rpg / .389 fg%
This Year: 15.3 ppg / 12.2 rpg / .441 fg%
This is a pretty nasty 2nd year increase in only 5 more mpg. Embiid is becoming a star. He could elevate into superstar status in the next 2 years, but he could also plateau, we'll see what happens with Joel.
ATL - Jeff Teague
Last Year: 5.5 ppg / 1.9 apg / 1.7 rpg / .438 fg%
This Year: 15.0 ppg / 5.3 apg / 2.9 rpg / .492 fg%
He only played 13.3 mpg last year off the bench for the Lakers. He's at 30mpg as a starter for the Hawks this year. Shooting 49% while taking 13 shots a game this year, damn.
BOS - Trey Burke
Last Year: 7.9 ppg / 3.8 apg / 1.5 rpg
This Year: 19.4 ppg / 7.6 apg / 4.0 rpg
His minutes have almost doubled from 18.9 to 35.5. He's maintained about the same percentages while taking on a much bigger offensive load for the Celts this year.
DEN - Al Jefferson
Last Year: 11.5 ppg / 9.7 rpg / 1.7 apg
This Year: 19.2 ppg / 10.5 rpg / 2.5 apg
He's playing 5 more mpg for us and is second option which has resulted in more scoring. 2.5 dimes from a C isn't too shabby. FG% up a bit but should finish around the same as last year.
POR - Wayne Ellington
Last Year: 10.0 ppg / 2.0 apg / 3.5 rpg
This Year: 18.2 ppg / 5.5 apg / 5.5 rpg
He's playing about 15 mpg more than he was on the Cavs last year. His percentages are similar.
WAS - JJ Hickson
Last Year: 16.9 ppg / 7.5 rpg / 1.2 bpg
This Year: 22.8 ppg / 8l.7 rpg / 1.7 bpg
Solid increase while putting in almost 10 more mpg. Percentages are slightly up. Hickson is enjoying his time in Washington so far.
DAL - Chris Kaman
Last Year: 12.6 ppg / 8.2 rpg
This Year: 18.2 ppg / 10.6 rpg
Cave-man is playing 33.5 mpg after playing 25.5 for the Thunder last year. Similar percentages, just getting more touches.
POR - James Johnson
Last Year: 4.8 ppg / 4.3 rpg / 0.7 apg / .410 fg%
This Year: 11.2 ppg / 7.3 rpg / 2.0 apg / .463 fg%
He only played 19 mpg in Minny last year, playing 36 mpg as a starter on the Blazers this season. Shooting the rock much better in his new system while increasing his shot attempts from 4.3 to 9.5.
ORL - Ty Lawson
Last Year: 13.8 ppg / 5.7 apg / .373 3p%
This Year: 15.4 ppg / 7.3 apg / .453 3p%
His minutes are actually down a couple per game, so his production has increased more than it looks. He's been cash from long distance making 43/95 so far. He had 4 seasons of .400+ from 3 but shot around .370 the last 2 years.
PHI - Jonas Valanciunas
Last Year: 8.6 ppg / 8.4 rpg / .430 fg%
This Year: 10.1 ppg / 11.0 rpg / .478 fg%
He's producing a solid double double per night so figured he deserves a mention. He's been pretty efficient from the floor. His free throw shooting at only at 60% but should climb back towards 70%.
CHI - Derrick Favors
Last Year: 8.0 ppg / 5.5 rpg / 1.3 bpg
This Year: 13.3 ppg / 8.4 rpg / 1.7 bpg
Similar percentages. His mpg are up by about 9 from last year. He's putting up 10.5 fga this year, 7 fga last year.
CLE - Kyrie Irving
Last Year: 23.9 ppg / 7.6 apg / 3.5 rpg
This Year: 26.7 ppg / 9.1 apg / 4.2 rpg
Kyrie scored 27.8 the year before last, so it looks like he basically just had a down year last year. He's looking like a superstar again. Second straight year he's below .400 from deep though, after shooting .430 in his 2nd and 3rd seasons.
CHA - Kenneth Faried
Last Year: 8.5 ppg / 8.6 rpg / .407 fg% / .646 ft%
This Year: 11.8 ppg / 12.0 rpg / .445 fg% / .708 ft%
Looks like Kenneth has found his touch a little bit after putting up some bricks last season and has become a monster on the glass. Playing about 6 more mpg. Getting to the line over 4 times a game so far, only 2.5 last season.
ATL - Caron Butler
Last Year: 19.8 ppg / 6.6 rpg / .447 3p%
This Year: 25.3 ppg / 7.5 rpg / .380 3p%
Scoring 5.5 per game more while playing the same amount at 35 mpg. Weird that he's shooting worse from 3 but he's still been solid from deep. He's taken 21 shots a game so far this year after taking 16 a game last year for ATL.
SAS - LaMarcus Aldridge
Last Year: 22.1 ppg / 1.5 bpg / .476 fg%
This Year: 27.9 ppg / 1.9 bpg / .491 fg%
LMA has taken on a bigger scoring role this year and is looking pretty nice. Him and Melo are each putting up about 21 shots per game so far.
TOR - Brandon Roy
Last Year: 28.6 ppg / 5.8 rpg / .463 fg% / .402 3p%
This Year: 31.9 ppg / 7.0 rpg / .481 fg% / .427 3p%
The percentages will probably come down a small bit but the numbers are impressive in 39 mpg.
BOS - Yi Jianlian
Last Year: 15.7 ppg / 8.8 rpg / 1.6 apg
This Year: 20.3 ppg / 9.8 rpg / 2.4 apg
He's playing about 3.5 more mpg this season. Similar percentages except for 80%+ from the stripe. He's putting up about 17 fga per game this year, 13 fga last year for the Grizz.
DET - Lance Stephenson
Last Year: 19.3 ppg / 1.5 spg / .446 fg% / .348 3p%
This Year: 26.0 ppg / 2.3 spg / .511 fg% / .455 3p%
Lance is 45/99 from three this year. This is nasty. His efficiency has exploded in his second season with the Pistons. Lance is looking like a superstar in the league if his production stays anywhere close to this.
MIA - Anthony Davis
Last Year: 16.5 ppg / 9.1 rpg / .425 fg% / .706 ft%
This Year: 23.7 ppg / 10.6 rpg / .493 fg% / .812 ft%
Yep, Anthony Davis has arrived in his 4th season. He's become crazy efficient while playing 35 mpg this year. Lots of ASG appearances in a row coming up for this monster. He's getting to the stripe a solid 8 times a game where he shoots over 80%.
IND - Harrison Barnes
Last Year: 13.0 ppg / .428 fg% / .699 ft%
This Year: 21.9 ppg / .459 fg% / .764 ft%
Seems to have found his stroke this year. He's been more efficient while taking on a bigger offensive load through 29 games. His other numbers are up a tiny bit while playing 2.6 more mpg this year for the Pacers.
UTA - Nikola Mirotic
Last Year: 14.7 ppg / 7.0 rpg / 2.4 bpg / .396 3p%
This Year: 23.4 ppg / 8.6 rpg / 3.4 bpg / .500 3p%
33/66 from 3 point land in 24 games so far this year. He's taking about 18.5 fga per game this year and producing at an incredible rate. Only 5 mpg increase since last year but scoring 8.7 more per game. Dude went full beast.
LAC - Joel Embiid
Last Year: 9.2 ppg / 9.5 rpg / .389 fg%
This Year: 15.3 ppg / 12.2 rpg / .441 fg%
This is a pretty nasty 2nd year increase in only 5 more mpg. Embiid is becoming a star. He could elevate into superstar status in the next 2 years, but he could also plateau, we'll see what happens with Joel.
ATL - Jeff Teague
Last Year: 5.5 ppg / 1.9 apg / 1.7 rpg / .438 fg%
This Year: 15.0 ppg / 5.3 apg / 2.9 rpg / .492 fg%
He only played 13.3 mpg last year off the bench for the Lakers. He's at 30mpg as a starter for the Hawks this year. Shooting 49% while taking 13 shots a game this year, damn.
BOS - Trey Burke
Last Year: 7.9 ppg / 3.8 apg / 1.5 rpg
This Year: 19.4 ppg / 7.6 apg / 4.0 rpg
His minutes have almost doubled from 18.9 to 35.5. He's maintained about the same percentages while taking on a much bigger offensive load for the Celts this year.
DEN - Al Jefferson
Last Year: 11.5 ppg / 9.7 rpg / 1.7 apg
This Year: 19.2 ppg / 10.5 rpg / 2.5 apg
He's playing 5 more mpg for us and is second option which has resulted in more scoring. 2.5 dimes from a C isn't too shabby. FG% up a bit but should finish around the same as last year.
POR - Wayne Ellington
Last Year: 10.0 ppg / 2.0 apg / 3.5 rpg
This Year: 18.2 ppg / 5.5 apg / 5.5 rpg
He's playing about 15 mpg more than he was on the Cavs last year. His percentages are similar.
WAS - JJ Hickson
Last Year: 16.9 ppg / 7.5 rpg / 1.2 bpg
This Year: 22.8 ppg / 8l.7 rpg / 1.7 bpg
Solid increase while putting in almost 10 more mpg. Percentages are slightly up. Hickson is enjoying his time in Washington so far.
DAL - Chris Kaman
Last Year: 12.6 ppg / 8.2 rpg
This Year: 18.2 ppg / 10.6 rpg
Cave-man is playing 33.5 mpg after playing 25.5 for the Thunder last year. Similar percentages, just getting more touches.
POR - James Johnson
Last Year: 4.8 ppg / 4.3 rpg / 0.7 apg / .410 fg%
This Year: 11.2 ppg / 7.3 rpg / 2.0 apg / .463 fg%
He only played 19 mpg in Minny last year, playing 36 mpg as a starter on the Blazers this season. Shooting the rock much better in his new system while increasing his shot attempts from 4.3 to 9.5.
ORL - Ty Lawson
Last Year: 13.8 ppg / 5.7 apg / .373 3p%
This Year: 15.4 ppg / 7.3 apg / .453 3p%
His minutes are actually down a couple per game, so his production has increased more than it looks. He's been cash from long distance making 43/95 so far. He had 4 seasons of .400+ from 3 but shot around .370 the last 2 years.
PHI - Jonas Valanciunas
Last Year: 8.6 ppg / 8.4 rpg / .430 fg%
This Year: 10.1 ppg / 11.0 rpg / .478 fg%
He's producing a solid double double per night so figured he deserves a mention. He's been pretty efficient from the floor. His free throw shooting at only at 60% but should climb back towards 70%.
CHI - Derrick Favors
Last Year: 8.0 ppg / 5.5 rpg / 1.3 bpg
This Year: 13.3 ppg / 8.4 rpg / 1.7 bpg
Similar percentages. His mpg are up by about 9 from last year. He's putting up 10.5 fga this year, 7 fga last year.
CLE - Kyrie Irving
Last Year: 23.9 ppg / 7.6 apg / 3.5 rpg
This Year: 26.7 ppg / 9.1 apg / 4.2 rpg
Kyrie scored 27.8 the year before last, so it looks like he basically just had a down year last year. He's looking like a superstar again. Second straight year he's below .400 from deep though, after shooting .430 in his 2nd and 3rd seasons.
CHA - Kenneth Faried
Last Year: 8.5 ppg / 8.6 rpg / .407 fg% / .646 ft%
This Year: 11.8 ppg / 12.0 rpg / .445 fg% / .708 ft%
Looks like Kenneth has found his touch a little bit after putting up some bricks last season and has become a monster on the glass. Playing about 6 more mpg. Getting to the line over 4 times a game so far, only 2.5 last season.
ATL - Caron Butler
Last Year: 19.8 ppg / 6.6 rpg / .447 3p%
This Year: 25.3 ppg / 7.5 rpg / .380 3p%
Scoring 5.5 per game more while playing the same amount at 35 mpg. Weird that he's shooting worse from 3 but he's still been solid from deep. He's taken 21 shots a game so far this year after taking 16 a game last year for ATL.
SAS - LaMarcus Aldridge
Last Year: 22.1 ppg / 1.5 bpg / .476 fg%
This Year: 27.9 ppg / 1.9 bpg / .491 fg%
LMA has taken on a bigger scoring role this year and is looking pretty nice. Him and Melo are each putting up about 21 shots per game so far.
TOR - Brandon Roy
Last Year: 28.6 ppg / 5.8 rpg / .463 fg% / .402 3p%
This Year: 31.9 ppg / 7.0 rpg / .481 fg% / .427 3p%
The percentages will probably come down a small bit but the numbers are impressive in 39 mpg.
BOS - Yi Jianlian
Last Year: 15.7 ppg / 8.8 rpg / 1.6 apg
This Year: 20.3 ppg / 9.8 rpg / 2.4 apg
He's playing about 3.5 more mpg this season. Similar percentages except for 80%+ from the stripe. He's putting up about 17 fga per game this year, 13 fga last year for the Grizz.
