The career season was not enough for the famous NBA league award! Australian finished first
Bek Atlanta Hawks, Dyson Daniels (22), he was named the player who made the most (MOST Improved Player – MIP) for the NBA season 2024/25. In the competition for this prestigious award were the LA Clippers Center and the Croatian national team player Ivica Zubac (28), and back dethroit pistons, Cade Cunningham (23). Unfortunately, Zubac failed to win a recognition despite his best career season.
Zubac has played a statistically best season in his nine -year NBA career. The Croatian Center recorded an average of 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds, both career records. He was a key to Clippers, led the league by total jumps (as many as 1010!) And was a pillar of his team defense.
During the season he also had a series of 15 consecutive games with a double-double effect, the longest such series in the league that season. With him on the floor, the Clippers outlined the opponents for as many as 514 points.
Despite the impressive numbers and visible progress, Zubac failed to convince most voters. Daniels won 44 first place in the vote of 100 media representatives, while Zubac received 23 votes for first place, finishing as the second with a total of 186 points (Daniels had 332). The third was Cunningham with 122 points (15 first places).
The toothpick ‘denied’ again
This is the second disappointment for the gear this season in the context of individual awards. Although he was the Defense Pillar of the Clippers and fought with the best centers of the league, he was not among the three finalists for the Best Defense Player Award (DPOY), which he won Evan Mobley.
Zubac finished only sixth in the vote, which further confirms that his excellent season remained under -recognized in the context of the greatest individual recognitions.
Who is Dyson Daniels?
Australian basketball player, known for the nickname « Great Barrier Thief » for his defense skills, has experienced a real explosion in his first season with Hawximes. He arrived from New Orleans Pelicans last summer in an exchange for Dejounte Murray. After two seasons in the Pelicans where he did not have a significant role or statistics, Daniels showed a brand new face in Atlanta.
In the Hawks jersey, 22-year-old Daniels was a starter in all 76 games in which he played. He significantly raised his average point of 14 points, which is a big jump compared to the previous season (5.8 points). What particularly emphasized him was his extraordinary game in defense.
– I believe I can win this award again because I have so much more potential in me. Next year I want to take that next step, I have new goals. I want to be an all-star and be a champion in this league. said Daniels, who shoots from confidence after winning.
He was the best thief of the balls in the entire league, with an average reminiscent of legendary defense players from the past. His ability to disturb the opponent’s attacks and theft of the ball was key to Hawks. Due to his extraordinary defense, he was also a finalist for the award for the best defense player of the year (DPoy), where he ended up as a runner -up behind Mobley.
Daniels became only the second player in Hawks history to win the MIP award, joining Alan Henderson (1997/98). His progress was visible and in a improved shot from the game and three points (from 31 percent to 34 percent).
MVP is not known yet
The third finalist for the player who made the most progressed was Cade Cunningham. The first choice of draft 2021 played a great season, was first selected for the All-Star game and led the Detroit Pistons to a significant improvement in the number of victories. He improved his figures in almost all categories.
The announcements of the winner for the most prestigious prize, the one for the most useful League (MVP), where the finalists Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) are still waiting.
The coach Kenny Atkinson, JB BickerStaff, the name of the widow), members of All-Nba, All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams and other awards will also be announced.
