The Boston Celtics wing has a legitimate argument for feeling robbed of consideration for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
The NBA released their 2019-20 Most Improved Player award voting results, with Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans being named the player who made the greatest year-over-year leap over Boston Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown:
New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram has won the NBA 2019-20 Most Improved Player of the Year award.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 31, 2020
What a difference a year makes! @B_Ingram13 secured his first All-Star appearance this season and now has won the 2019-20 Most Improved Player award 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vq0IxadxtA
— ESPN (@espn) August 31, 2020
While he made a seismic jump in both points and 3-point efficiency, Jaylen Brown similarly made leaps. In fact, while his 3-point percentage sits a point below Ingram’s and his jump wasn’t that drastic in that department, Brown’s scoring improvements were higher in percentage and in pure volume.
The narrative for both players was obviously much different. Both were liberated from the domineering play style of former NBA Champions and perennial All-Stars in leaving Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, but Brown was still part of a playoff contender.
Ingram flourished as a first-time All-Star, but the Pelicans didn’t become serious playoff contenders until Zion Williamson became a regular rotation regular for New Orleans. On his own, he was unable to lead his team–much like his pre-LeBron Laker days in Los Angeles.
Being named to the All-Star team was a true feather in Ingram’s cap, and was probably what separated him from Brown. That said, Brown overcame a benching in 2018-19 to become one of the top players on a team that looks poised to make an Eastern Conference title run.
What do you think Boston Celtics fans? Do you think Brown was robbed of the Most Improved Player award?
Drop a comment below!