Memphis star Jaa Morant is the top favorite to win Most Improved Player this season, but Drummond Green isn't convinced his case.
Addressing reporters this weekend, Golden State legend Green touched on the Most Improved Player award and explained why Warriors teammate Jordan Poole, not Morant, should be taking it home this year.
According to NBC Sports, Green said, "The award is called 'the best,' not who had the best year, it's actually the MVP award." "I think a lot of times, we confuse it... No disrespect to Jaa Morant, but Jaa Morant is an MVP candidate. Jaa Morant is not the 'best player' candidate. Jaa Morante last year unbelievably From was the f-king.
"When you look around, most of the improvement has happened in Jordan Poole, and I think it goes without saying," Green said. "You go through the list, and you show me what those guys did last year and the year before that, and you show me what Jordan did last year and a year before that, he's the best." If we know what is the title of the award, what is the name of the award, it is easily Jordan.
Player A: 19.1 points and 7.4 assists per game on 44.9 percent shooting last year, 27.4 points and 6.7 assists per game on 49.3 percent shooting this year
Player B: 12.0 points and 1.9 assists per game on 43.2 percent shooting last year, 18.4 points and 4.0 assists per game on 44.8 percent shooting this year
Player A is Morant, who has jumped from a star to a superstar this season. Player B is Poole, who this season jumped from a fringe rotation piece to a legitimate secondary option. Both the players have also done their damage for the competing teams.
The crux of Green's argument appears to be that Morant was already an outstanding player last season, while Poole was barely making an impact. Green will obviously be biased towards his partner, but he doesn't really make a convincing claim. After all, this was the season when Morant really became the leading man for a box-office draw as well as a true title contender. Even with the pool's seemingly impressive improvement this season, it can't really compete with the way Morant's star has been skyrocketing in orbit lately.
Photo: January 26, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; The Memphis Grizzlies defend Jaa Morant (12) during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Watcher-USA TODAY SPORTS