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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Awards Candidates

By AJ Salah

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
(Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

Most Improved Player

Memphis had to find a candidate in a highly unlikely place.

Jaren Jackson Jr had “sophomore breakout” written all over him. The pieces were all there: his young rookie age, his rangy skill set, his prototypical neo-big physique, and an increased role for a better-fit team.

Instead, Jackson showed painfully little (if any) defensive development. He spent the season’s first six weeks laying bricks like he was building a condo before reviving his dangerous shooting touch.

Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks took a mini-leap, proving himself a dependable  scorer and defensive irritant. But a tendency towards shaky decision-making and shot selection prevented him from ever contending for MIP.

The Grizzlies could again see Melton snag some lower-tier votes here. A relative nobody on one of the NBA’s worst rosters became a playoff team’s secret weapon overnight.

With an award whose context is open for vast interpretation, and thus a wide range of candidates, Melton will probably snag at least a little love.

CONFIDENCE INDEX
Get votes: 60%
Have finalist: 5%
Win award: 0%

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