January 11, 2009

Joe Schaller

TPR scale: 180+ MVP, 140+ superstar, 110+ allstar, 85+ starter, 65+ bench

If you want to find the most improved players a good start is by looking at the most improved teams and no team has performed above expectations more than the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Although established stars are usually omitted from any consideration in this category my lists for most improved do not discriminate and Lebron James leads a pack of four Cavs in my top 12. I projected 48 wins for the Cavs and a 175 TPR for Lebron. His 220 TPR puts him up with Michael Jordan. Anderson Varejao 113, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 144 and Delonte West 115 have also performed far above expectations and it becomes easy to understand how the Cavs have dominated like the Chicago Bulls dynasty teams.

Portland has also performed above expectations led by Brandon Roy 155. Role players Joel Przybilla 91 and Steve Blake 98 along with a host of rookies have combined to give the Blazers legitimate hopes in not just the long term.

I attribute Orlando's rise to elite status to point guard Jameer Nelson 135 who has shored up the clubs primary weakness. I projected a meer 95 TPR from Jameer.

At the top of my list is Mike Bibby 132 who was absolutely horrible last year in both Sacramento and Atlanta. His previous best TPR is 117 and I projected him at 90 for this year. He may be a veteran but his improvement puts Atlanta as a contender and should be recognized.

Nene 126 has been key for the Nuggets rise also, so let's not hand the trophy to Devin Harris 133 yet. My vote would likely go to Jameer.

No sophs allowed; Do I really need to explain why second year players shouldn't be considered for the MI award? It's like, duh!
My formula considers each players previous two or three seasons TPR with a sliding scale giving the most recent years more weight.

Most Improved______TPR___'08_'07_'06__score

1. Mike Bibby Atl_______132__62__92_108 __55.3
   
2. Lebron James Cle____220_182_156_172 __47
   
3. Jameer Nelson Orl____135__95__76_106 __43.4
   
4. Danny Granger Ind___146_113__88__95 __42.3
   
5. Brandon Roy Por_____155_124__99 ______38.9
   
6. Anderson Varejao Cle_113__67__91__85 __36.5
   
7. Joel Przybilla Por______90__65__40__81 __30.4
   
8. Nene Hilario Den_____126_105__89__79 __29.4
   
9. Devin Harris NJ______133_103_110__97 __29
   
10. Zydrun.Ilgauskas Cle_145_114_115_132 __27.5
    
11. Paul Millsap Uta_____132_102_108____ __27.5
    
12. Delonte West Cle____115__89__87__93 __26.4

honorable mention; Steve Blake, Joe Johnson, Rajon Rondo, Charlie Villanueva, Hakim Warrick

Total Performance Ratings-- since 1996

1. Scoring
   
2. Scoring Efficiency
   
3. Ballhandling
   
4. Rebounding
   
5. Disruptive Defense
   
6. One on one Defense
   
7. Team Defense
   
8. Team Game Pace
   
9. Schedule Strength
   
10. Projected Improvement or Decline
    
11. Teams Wins Adjustment

Ratings indicate productivity per minute played. See my feature "The TPR Formula" for more information.

• Joe Schaller
  
• 505-722-3103
  
• schaller_6@msn.com