Does Timelord get Most Improved Player and All-Defense recognition this year?

[nickagneta]

Depending on if he stays healthy and how this team finishes, I think he stands a decent shot at both. But, knowing the way All-Defense can be a popularity vote at times and MIPs are usually guys that make huge offensive leaps in their games, it's probably a no to both.

I do think he deserves at the very least a 2nd Team All-Defense

[Silas]

I definitely think he will be in the running for both.  I feel stronger about all-defense.

[Surferdad]

Depending on if he stays healthy and how this team finishes, I think he stands a decent shot at both. But, knowing the way All-Defense can be a popularity vote at times and MIPs are usually guys that make huge offensive leaps in their games, it's probably a no to both.

I do think he deserves at the very least a 2nd Team All-Defense

That’s a reasonable expectation. I voted for All-Defense only because it’s more likely than MIP., but he prolly wont get that either.

[slamtheking]

I think he's in the running for both.  All-D being the most likely honor.  Figure Smart for a real shot at that as well.  GWill should get some mention for MIP -- won't win it but should be mentioned

[nickagneta]

My concern for All-Defense is Gobert gets it on reputation and Embiid because he is having an MVP type year and gets All-Defense votes because of that even though his defense isn't better than Williams's.

[Celtics2021]

Most improved has to be Morant to me, with Darius Garland the other option.  A couple of third-year players making the jump to All-Star status while leading their teams from the lottery to top seeds.

TL should and will get some consideration for All-Defense, but that’s an award that normally lags performance by a season or two, so I think no both.

[footey]

He’s having a terrific year. Love Rob. He won’t get MIP. But 2nd team defense in the cards.

[LilRip]

It would be a travesty if one of the best defenses in the league had no one on all-defense. I think TL and Smart can make it

[jpotter33]

I say All-D but not MIP. Smart seems a lock for All-D, and I think if we land 1 in defense you almost have to give it to Rob, too.

It won’t happen, but I bet Smart gets real consideration for DPOY, too, even with it being a big-focused award.

[gouki88]

Simmons (Portland) or Bane should win MIP in my book.

Timelord belongs on the All-Defensive team, 100%

[jambr380]

He'll should get All-Defense if both Embiid and Gobert get 1st Team, but it'll be impossible if they split them up. No way he'll get MIP, but that's okay - I'm just happy to have him locked up for 4 more years at a bargain price.

[PAOBoston]

Most improved has to be Morant to me, with Darius Garland the other option.  A couple of third-year players making the jump to All-Star status while leading their teams from the lottery to top seeds.

TL should and will get some consideration for All-Defense, but that’s an award that normally lags performance by a season or two, so I think no both.

The MIP award is the worst. The players you mentioned about should in no way be awarded that award. They were high lottery picks who are doing what was expected and making the 3rd year jump. I do not think that qualifies them for most improved. Someone like Desmond Bane who basically doubled his points per game in his second year while being a late first round draft pick would be more deserving.

[Surferdad]

Most improved has to be Morant to me, with Darius Garland the other option.  A couple of third-year players making the jump to All-Star status while leading their teams from the lottery to top seeds.

TL should and will get some consideration for All-Defense, but that’s an award that normally lags performance by a season or two, so I think no both.

The MIP award is the worst. The players you mentioned about should in no way be awarded that award. They were high lottery picks who are doing what was expected and making the 3rd year jump. I do not think that qualifies them for most improved. Someone like Desmond Bane who basically doubled his points per game in his second year while being a late first round draft pick would be more deserving.

I disagree.  Where you are picked should not set an expectation for improvement.  There's PLENTY of high draft picks who never reached their supposed potential.

[aefgogreen]

Depending on if he stays healthy and how this team finishes, I think he stands a decent shot at both. But, knowing the way All-Defense can be a popularity vote at times and MIPs are usually guys that make huge offensive leaps in their games, it's probably a no to both.

I do think he deserves at the very least a 2nd Team All-Defense

Agree on the popularity thing - that's how Kobe got 9 first-teams.

[nickagneta]

NBA.com has a Defensive Player Ladder that, like it's Rookie Ladder, tries to give an in real time accounting of who the think is the current leader for DPOY.

#1 is Giannis
#2 is Mikal Bridges
#3 is Jaren Jackson Jr.

Then there is the next 6 guys, in no particular order, but order listed as:

Draymond Green
Rudy Gobert
Robert Williams
Dejounte Murray
Jarrett Allen & Evan Mobley

Why they have the Cav's guys as a duo is not explained, but I gotta think that, as of right now, Timelord is considered, by guys at NBA.com, a top 5-6 best defensive player in the league as of the stats of Feb. 13th, which the article uses. So maybe Williams has a good shot at the All-Defense Team.

https://www.nba.com/news/defensive-player-ladder-february-2022-edition