About the MIP Award
The Most Improved Player award has been given since 1985-86. It recognizes the player who has shown the most improvement from the previous season. The award often goes to younger players who make a leap into stardom, though veterans who significantly elevate their game are also recognized.
Some MIP winners go on to become superstars. Giannis Antetokounmpo won MIP in 2017 and later became a 2x MVP and NBA champion. Others, like Bobby Simmons, had their MIP season as their career peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who had the biggest improvement in MIP history?
CJ McCollum improved by 14.0 PPG in 2015-16, going from 6.8 to 20.8 PPG. This is the largest single-season scoring jump for an MIP winner.
Can a player win MIP more than once?
No player has won the award twice, though there is no rule preventing it. The award tends to go to players making their first major leap.
Do MIP winners sustain their improvement?
It varies widely. Some like Giannis and Jimmy Butler continued improving. Others like Boris Diaw and Bobby Simmons regressed to closer to their pre-MIP levels.