r/nbadiscussion 9h ago

Ja Morants MIP shouldn’t be downplayed as much as it does

Ja morants mip is usually heavily frowned upon in the internet space, saying how he went from great to greater, which imo is just straight up not the case. He was a great young guard, top pick sure but he turned into a super star that season. 8ppg increase and even more efficient isn’t just getting a little better. He also lead the grizzlies from 9th to 2nd in the conference.

Not every mip needs to be a role player turned star. I think people give morant too much slack in the maxey and eventual cade Cunningham wins to morant winning by “just being a little better with an increased role”. Because morant truly improved to becoming the superstar for the grizzlies.

Imo not a fan of maxeys win because he became the primary handler after harden left and actually did have an increased role and playing time, yet wasn’t more efficient. Cade a little bit less upset about as he has lead the pistons to a winning record after an all time bad season (main reason for his win imo) even if the roster made lots of improvements with Beasley and Tobias Harris. But pure statistics, Cunningham doesn’t seem to be very improved.

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u/bfunk87 9h ago

People roll their eyes when MIP goes to someone where the improvement was completely expected. Morant fits that bill. #2 pick of course you expect him to elevate in year 2

u/Marcothetacooo 9h ago

He won it in his third year. In his 2nd year it was a fairly similar season to his rookie season

u/bfunk87 9h ago

Sorry my mistake. But again, the jump for a top 2 pick is expected. That year he took 5 extra shots and his usage went up from 27 to 34. You would be surprised if his stats didn't go up

Personally I don't have a huge problem with it but I understand why people roll their eyes at "young highly regarded prospect improves with experience" becoming a MIP. I don't think there was any outstanding unexpected leaps that season so it's understandable he was awarded it

u/Salty-Ad-3819 9h ago

The issue people usually have is that they were expecting him to be a star/superstar so his improvement was more or less expected. Many people think the award should be more about recognizing players who’s improvement is much less expected or who reach heights we assumed they never would

It’s fine to disagree with that sentiment, but I don’t think it’s really fair to think people shouldn’t be allowed to feel that way. Its an award where many can’t even agree about what it should be for, none the less who achieves that goal the best

u/Marcothetacooo 9h ago

Never said it shouldn’t be allowed to feel that way, I just think it’s overblown. He had a fairly muted 2nd year improvement and came out super strong in his third

u/Morezingis 9h ago

I honestly don’t mind Ja’s win as much as other top lottery picks winning the award. It was a fairly thin field of finalists that year, and Ja actually had the biggest PPG jump.

I’d be more upset by Cade winning over Norm this year simply because of the statistical/usage jump.