Boston Celtics: Predicting Every Award for the 2018-2019 NBA Season
By Thomas King
Most Improved Player: Jahlil Okafor, C New Orleans Pelicans
After averaging 17.5 points and 7 rebounds per game as a rookie, Jahlil Okafor fell out of favor in Philadelphia due to multiple off court instances, porous defense, and the emergence of 76ers center Joel Embiid.
After bouncing to Brooklyn and languishing on the Nets bench, Okafor was released and caught on this summer with the New Orleans Pelicans. Though the Pelicans lost DeMarcus Cousins in free agency, Okafor will still start the season behind Nikola Mirotic and newly-signed forward Julius Randle in the New Orleans frontcourt.
However, both Randle and Mirotic have missed significant time in the past due to injury, and at some point in the season, Okafor will get his chance. Look for the former ACC Player of the Year to relish his opportunity to play when he gets the chance and to force his way into coach Alvin Gentry’s regular rotation.
Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis showed last season that he can play alongside a traditional center as he and DeMarcus Cousins thrived on the court together. If Okafor can bring 70 percent of Cousins’ offensive talent, with 200 percent more focus and effort, and 85 less crazy, he will pair well with Davis.
Though Okafor has missed some preseason games with an ankle sprain, he looks like he’s in the best shape of his career, if he wasn’t abusing Instagram’s filters in this photo:
The Philadelphia 76ers seem to be expecting a breakout season from second-year guard Markelle Fultz, who will be in the starting lineup on Opening Night. However, having seen his jump shot, I’m not nearly convinced he’s going to be anything more than a role player.
Fultz has immense talent, but a confident and consistent jump shot is what will open up the rest of his game, as it did in his one collegiate season. He doesn’t have the elite burst off the dribble to get by guys and finish if they can sag off his shot and wait in the paint.
Pascal Siakam is probably going to have a better year for Toronto, but the Raptors bench is so balanced it’ll be hard to put up huge numbers. Bam Adebayo looks ready to make a leap this season, at least past the comatose Hassan Whiteside for the Miami Heat center spot. I’ve felt like Aaron Gordon was going to break out as a star for the Orlando Magic for a couple seasons now.