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Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox’s Case For Most Improved Player

By Ryan Ritter

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 12: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a foul against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 12: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a foul against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2018 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 26: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings dunks against the Washington Wizards on October 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 26: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings dunks against the Washington Wizards on October 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Leap

The first thing you notice when you look at the list of Most Improved Player award winners is what good company they are to be in. Of the 33 players to earn the honor, 16 went on to become All-Stars. As well, when you look at the winners from 2011 and on, it is veritable who is who of the top players in the NBA. Kevin Love, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, C.J. McCollum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Oladipo have all won the award in the last ten years.

But what is the leap these players have had to make in order to earn their award?

Let us take a look at those past ten winners (the other four: Aaron Brooks, Danny Granger, Ryan Anderson, and Goran Dragic) and see if we can pick up on any trends.

Average MIP line: 20.6 ppg, 6.4 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 46.2% FG, 40.8% 3PT, 81.8% FT, 35.6 mpg

Average net difference: 7.1 ppg, 1.4 RPG, 1 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 2.3% FG, 3.3% 3PT, 3.8% FT, 5.9 mpg

What immediately stands out is that the winners for the MIP award have an uptick in points a game and improved shooting. This should not be altogether too surprising, as it is the most immediate way to gauge how someone is affecting the game and their team (if not necessarily the most accurate).  It also rewards an increase in minutes, which tends to indicate an increased role and responsibility.

That all follows. Now, let us take a look at De’Aaron Fox’s current season and compare it to his rookie reason last year.

Current season:  17.4 ppg, 4.0 RPG, 7.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 47.1% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 69.2% FT, 32.5 mpg

Net difference: 5.8 ppg, 1.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 5.9% FG, 7.8% 3PT, -3.1% FT, 4.7 mpg

De’Aaron Fox Gets The Hall-of-Fame Experience. light. Related Story

So, yeah. The thing that stands out the most there is the almost 6% difference in field goal percentage, to say nothing of the almost 8% uptick in three-point shooting. If nothing else, if Fox’s improved shooting holds, he definitely has a case for most improved. It helps that he has been doing it all in a new offensive scheme that showcases his abilities on an entertaining team that is making some noise.

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