If you’ve been following the NBA world recently, you’d know that the Sacramento Kings have been quite a surprise this season. Led by backcourt duo Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox, the Kings have probably surprised even themselves, so far with a 25-25 record. They’re already only two wins away from matching last season’s total.
Much of the Kings’ relative success this season has coincided with sophomore point guard De’Aaron Fox’s rise. Fox has improved across the board, after averaging 11.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on 41.2% from the field and 30.7% from three as a rookie, he’s upped his averages to 17.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on 46.2% from the field and 36.8% from three.
All of these improvements have led to Fox’s inclusion in the Most Improved Player Award discussion, and rightfully so. Without a doubt, Fox has made one of the more noticeable leaps in production this season. If we followed the literal definition of the award, Fox would stand an excellent chance of taking it home.
Unfortunately for Fox, however, the literal meaning of an award isn’t the only criteria for winning. Much like the MVP award, the MIP takes into account a lot more factors than just raw improvement.
The Big Problem
Historically, the award goes home with the player who makes a major improvement after a few years in the league. Most commonly, it’s a role player turned rising star. A look at some of the award’s recent winners shows that: Victor Oladipo in 2018, Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2017, C.J. McCollum in 2016, Jimmy Butler in 2015, Goran Dragic in 2014, and Paul George in 2013. The common thread between these players is the two or three years they spent as mostly middling players and the unexpected improvement.
Fox has had a very different career than those listed players. And although there are exceptions, he doesn’t fit in with that class either.
There have only been two instances in which a sophomore has won the award: Monta Ellis in 2007 and Gilbert Arenas in 2003. But their situations are quite different from Fox’s, as second-round picks.
Arenas and Ellis both burst onto the scene from nowhere, coming from nobodies on struggling teams to franchise stars. Neither of them were as high profile as rookies as Fox was. So why does this matter? Because, to many voters, a lottery pick as high as number five is supposed to improve. For a second-year player expected to be a star to take a step forward shouldn’t be surprising, because that’s what’s supposed to happen.
Is that fair? Not entirely. But it’s the way the award works, and the way voters operate. It’s also why Atlanta Hawks big John Collins will also probably not win the award, despite the similarly substantial improvement.
Fox might be the most improved player in the NBA this season but won’t win the award. He especially won’t with a player like Pascal Siakam from the Raptors, who’s emerged as an All-Star candidate. Zach LaVine, who in his first healthy season with the Bulls, is lighting up the scorebook as well.
To keep perspective, however, whether or not Fox wins this award won’t define his career. Losing out on the award can only fuel Fox’s drive. At the end of the day, Fox is living up to his high draft position, and that’s what truly matters.
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