Podcasts about Most Improved Player

Hard work. Tears. Faith. Discipline. The Creed. From 5 a.m. training sessions at age 8 to earning Big 12 Most Improved Player of the Year, Richie Saunders' journey is a masterclass in belief, perseverance, and purpose. But he didn't do it alone. His father, Rich Saunders—former college basketball player and mentor—helped him visualize his future and reminded him: “If you're willing to put in the work, it will be one of the hardest things you ever do… but you may have a shot at D1.” Richie didn't just train—he made a decision every day: Is this what I want? There were tears. Moments of doubt. Times he wanted to quit. But he clung to The Creed—his internal value system that defined who he was and how he was going to show up in life. He stayed grounded through daily connection with God, relentless work ethic, and a heart for service—building courts in Mali, mentoring others, and living with purpose. This Beliefcast is about more than basketball. It's about vision, legacy, resilience, and faith in action.

Tim Legler and Adam Mares break down Legler's official picks for the NBA end-of-year awards. Tim shares his process for deciding his votes, including his choices for Coach of the Year, Clutch Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. They also dive into the All-Rookie Team selections and debate the most deserving candidate for Most Improved Player. Don't miss this inside look at how one of the league's most respected analysts makes his award selections! 

00:00 Christian Braun's case to win Most Improved Player.11:15 Gabe Landeskog practices with the Avs.25:50 Rockies finally score a run.31:10 Nikola Jokic.

In part 1 of 2 of this NBA Awards edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon make their OFFICIAL picks for Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of ther Year, Coach of the Year, All-Defense Teams & All-Rookie Teams!06:27 - Defensive Player of the Year26:16 - 1st Team All-Defense31:00 - 2nd Team All-Defense43:16 - Rookie of the Year51:38 - 1st Team All-Rookie56:51 - 2nd Team All-Rookie1:05:40 - Most Improved Player1:14:32 - Sixth Man of the Year1:22:52 - Coach of the YearCHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIAL: TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / BLUESKY / THREADSSPONSORS:VISIT OUR PARTNERS OVER AT PRIZEPICKS TO GO SUPPORT THE SHOW! DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY AND USE CODE "GAMETHEORY" TO GET $50 INSTANTLY AFTER YOU PLAY YOUR FIRST $5 LINEUP!TIMELINE IS OFFERING 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER OF MITOPURE! GO TO TIMELINE.COM/GAMETHEORY 

0:00 ... Show open and Ross intros the panel and our special guest Jared Greenberg of TNT Sports and NBA TV. 0:47 ... Ross dedicates episode #152 to the Houston Rockets, who won 52 games this season. 1:08 ... Bruce introduces Jared Greenberg ot TNT Sports and NBA TV 1:49 ... Eastern conference "play in tournament" preview ... Orlando and the Bulls get the 7 and 8 spots 3:02 ... Western conference "play in" preview ... Golden State gets #7 and Memphis #8 3:48 ... Will Houston be challenged by a #7 seed like Golden State in the first round?  Jared is impressed by Houston's mental makeup. 6:07 ... The Rockets are one of the hardest playing teams in the league ... Detroit and OKC are the others.  Jared expects ramped up intensity from all 3 of them in the playoffs. 7:06 ... Ross tees up the preview of the Pistons/Knicks series ... lots of pressure on the Knicks while the Pistons are playing with house money. 8:45 ... Will the season be a bust if the Knicks don't make the conference finals?  Jared puts their season into context and suggests changes may be coming if they fall short of expectations. 10:06 ... The Pistons have more playoff experience than many realize and NY really needs Jalen Brunson to play well. 11:11 .... Indiana vs Milwaukee is a repeat of last season's 4 vs 5 matchup in the east ... with Damian Lillard out, can the Bucks possibly win the series?  Since Giannis is the best player on the court, he may be able to carry Milwaukee to a series victory. 12:35 ... Ross asks Jared about the Bucks personnel moves during the season with the addition of Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Junior and the loss of Khris Middleton. 15:26 ... Tyrese Haliburton has been spectacular since the All-Star break ... his numbers across the board have been great.  But Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner have been solid too. 17:17 ... Can any lower seeds challenge Cleveland or Boston in the east?  Is there any chance the Cavs could start their first playoff series on a "down" note in game one?  Which first round opponent would give Cleveland's defense problems? 19:17 ... Jared sizes up a possible eastern conference finals matchup between Boston and Cleveland. 20:40 ... Joe Mazzulla risked losing some games during the season in order to give guys rest and keep them fresh for the playoffs.  Much like the 1995 Rockets, the 2025 Celtics knew they could take their foot off the gas at times in search of a larger prize. 22:57 ... Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley are two young players who will have huge opportunities in the playoffs.  Jared feels that Mobley's success will be somewhat dependent on Donovan Mitchell, who must continue his "team first" play. 24:49 ... The Wolves/Lakers 3 vs 6 series in the west should be fascinating ... Jared feels like Minnesota really stepped up their defense as the season wore on.   Julius Randle may have some extra motivation as a former Laker.  Will Anthony Edwards help eliminate a Hall of Famer for the second year in a row? 28:02 ... Minnesota has an advantage with better bigs, so JJ Redick may go small and try to limit Rudy Gobert's impact. 29:16 .... Denver vs the LA Clippers in the 4 vs 5 series ... Nikola Jokic gives the Nuggets a presence that no team can match.  Kawhi Leonard's health is always a potential issue.  And Ivica Zubac is someone Jared has his eyes on regarding the matchup with Jokic. 30:36 ... Ross asks if any team in the west can challenge OKC ... um ... No.  But Jared feels any number of teams could make it to the western conference finals, they just can't beat the Thunder. 32:16 ... NBA Championship matchup: Boston vs Oklahoma City ... so who does Jared think will win the Larry O'Brien Trophy?  Can the Thunder find a second consistent scorer along with Gilgeous-Alexander? 34:46 ... Ross asks about Jared's favorite postgame interview and he has a really good Stephen Curry story. 36:02 ... Postseason Awards discussion ... who will win MVP? 37:45 ... Is Shai Gilgeous-Amexander a "mini version" of Jokic due to his playing style? 39:39 ... Rookie of the Year?  Jared runs through the list of worthy candidates but settles on ____! 40:14 ... Defensive Player of the Year?  Victor Wembanyama would have won if not for missing so many games, but he doesn't qualify.  Jared drops a great stat about Wemby and Brook Lopez. 43:29 ... Most Improved Player?  As a former number one overall pick, should Cade Cunningham really be considered? 45:28 ... World B likes Cunningham but also feels Ivica Zubac is worthy. 48:41 ... Coach of the Year?  Jared has four solid candidates but he feels that rewarding the coach of a 6 seed is an problem for him.  So he's going with the coach who took a good team to "great," rather than taking a bad team to "good." 49:25 ... Jared has worked for TNT's NBA coverage for more than a decade and he shares his feelings about the final weeks of TNT's NBA coverage as their 36 year run covering the league ends in early June. 51:06 ... Ross thanks Jared and wraps things up ... TRT 51:34              

Dive deep into the thrilling world of the NBA as we break down the upcoming playoff excitement and the controversies of the season's final push. With the NBA playoffs finally here, join us as we discuss the best players showcased on national television each night. Prepare for a whirlwind of basketball action, particularly with late-night West Coast games, ensuring no off nights for the next two months. (00:00:35) In this episode, we reflect on the long NBA season and the strategic decisions made by teams, which often prioritized rest and rotation over full-strength matchups, leaving fans with mixed feelings about the regular season's importance. (00:04:22) We explore the dynamics of the NBA play-in tournament and discuss its impact on the regular season. Hear our thoughts on the Golden State Warriors' play-in game struggles (00:05:43) and their playoff hopes, along with predictions on how Steph Curry and other key players will perform under pressure. The conversation also touches on the Clippers' complicated path forward (00:08:19), a breakdown of the play-in format (00:14:34), and whether it's time to rethink how it works. (00:16:06) Don't miss our take on the Suns' chaotic coaching situation (00:19:39) and how it could impact their playoff performance. Additionally, we provide an in-depth analysis of season awards (00:22:59), debating the MVP candidate merits between players like Jokic, SGA, and Giannis. We also cover key awards such as Defensive Player of the Year (00:30:10), Coach of the Year (00:31:50), Rookie of the Year (00:36:15), Sixth Man (00:38:10), and Most Improved Player. (00:42:23) As we prepare for the start of the playoffs, listen to our expert picks for the first round and beyond (00:45:27), discussing potential upsets and standout matchups like the potential showdown between the Clippers and Nuggets. We also provide a detailed look at the Eastern Conference playoff picture. (00:53:36) Finally, don't miss our discussion on offbeat NBA moments, including Mikael Bridges' unique streak continuation and how the league competes with major sporting events like the Masters. (00:59:22) Tune in for a candid conversation filled with insights, analysis, and everything an NBA fan needs to gear up for an intense playoff season. Since October 11, 2015, hosts Will Alimonos and Zach Bishop have been breaking down the biggest stories in sports, entertainment, and pop culture—from March Madness upsets to NFL trade rumors and blockbuster movies. If you love insightful analysis, bold takes, and a little bit of everything in between, this is the podcast for you!

On the latest episode of the Kevin O'Connor Show, KOC is joined by Tom Haberstroh to reveal his 2024-25 NBA awards ballot. The pair debate all the biggest honors including Nikola Jokic vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP and Amen Thompson vs. Draymond Green for DPOY. Plus, is Payton Pritchard the undisputed Sixth Man of the Year? And should Cade Cunningham even be ELIGIBLE for Most-Improved Player considering he was a no. 1 overall draft pick??Later, they recap the Minnesota Timberwolves routing of the Memphis Grizzlies. Anthony Edwards dropped 40+ despite Zach Edey finding his footing for Memphis—could the Wolves find themselves the four seed in the West?(0:35) Timberwolves beat Grizzlies Thursday night(3:12) Updated Western Conference playoff picture(11:11) KOC's NBA awards ballots(11:12) SGA vs. Jokic for MVP?(24:54) Stephon Castle for Rookie of the Year?(34:39) Amen Thompson vs. Draymond Green for DPOY?(50:25) Payton Pritchard for 6th Man of the Year?(54:55) Who should win Coach of the Year?(1:00:11) Cade Cunningham MIP controversy

Justin, Rob, and Wos are back to hand out individual awards. But first, Rob was in Dallas for the Lakers-Mavs game, so they get his thoughts on Luka's impressive return to Dallas and what that environment was like. Then the guys reveal their ballots for MVP (15:15), Defensive Player of the Year (43:55), Coach of the Year (53:50), Most Improved Player (1:00:58), Sixth Man of the Year (1:1315), and Rookie of the Year (1:15:55). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Wosny Lambre Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Ben Cruz Social: Keith Fujimoto The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back all to the BALLS AND BEARDS PODCAST! In today's all-NBA Season 5 Episode 10, the boys have you covered with a full rundown of both the Eastern & Western Conferences as teams make their final push for playoff positioning ahead of the postseason. The East is pretty well set, but the West is far from decided as the #2 - #8 spots are yet to be decided... The Warriors are continuing their climb up the standings, the Grizzlies continue to slide, and the Rockets, Lakers, and Nuggets remain in the thick of things. OKC has already easily wrapped-up the top spot, but there is much to be decided in the juggernaut that is the Western Conference.Then it's time to give out some hardware - Balls and Beards style! That's right, its the BALLS AND BEARDS PODCAST NBA AWARDS. The fellas give you their picks for Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, 6th Man of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and MVP. There was a consensus (2/3) on every pick except COY where the boys were evenly split with 3 deserving picks. So who takes home the BALLS AND BEARDS Hardware??As always, before wrapping up Season 5 Episode 10, the boys had their Golden Beard of the Week nominees, and man there are some great selections this week! Come join us for all of this, plus much, much more!----You can find the boys @ the following:Chris - @sportsguychris Mike - @mikey_likesitJustin - @juiceboxprod Balls and Beards Podcast - @ballsandbeardspodcast THE BALLS AND BEARDS PODCAST'is available on all major listening platforms and can be found directly here: Check out our podcast, Balls And Beards Podcast , on Spotify for Podcasters: https://anchor.fm/ballsandbeardspodcast If you find value in this publication, please feel free to support us here as well: https://www.patreon.com/ballsandbeardspodcasthttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/chrisandmikee----

Carmelo Anthony was notified that he has been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame Class of 2025. What is the first thing you think of when you hear his name? Also, JJ Redick reacts to a question asked about the Most Improved Player in the NBA and if Austin Reeves deserves it. Plus, Travis says that the Dodgers are so good that the game is too long for teams to try to win a game against them. Time for the DUMP and SUPER CROSSTALK with IRELAND and ANDY KAMENETZKY. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Amin and Izzy delve into the NBA's Most Improved Player race, wondering if a former #1 pick like Cade Cunningham can ever win the award, even after an impressive season with the Detroit Pistons. Plus, we look at other contenders like Dyson Daniels, Tyler Herro, and Christian Braun, and the broader implications of the Most Improved Player award. We also talk about the NBA and FIBA exploring the creation of a new 16-team basketball league in Europe set to rival the Euroleague. Is an NBA expansion coming? Click play to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Amin and Izzy delve into the NBA's Most Improved Player race, wondering if a former #1 pick like Cade Cunningham can ever win the award, even after an impressive season with the Detroit Pistons. Plus, we look at other contenders like Dyson Daniels, Tyler Herro, and Christian Braun, and the broader implications of the Most Improved Player award. We also talk about the NBA and FIBA exploring the creation of a new 16-team basketball league in Europe set to rival the Euroleague. Is an NBA expansion coming? Click play to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA Content Creator Alex Hoops (@AlexHoops_) joins the show to breakdown what could make or break a potential Cavs/Celtics series, OKC Vs. Cleveland, whether or not Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a "free throw merchant", the Most Improved Player award discourse and more!   Give us a follow over on X/Twitter: Mack Perry It's Cavalier Podcast   Wanna support this podcast? Consider becoming a Patreon Member here

Austin and Pausha discuss last night's brawl between the Pistons-Timberwolves and wonder whether or not teams need a player similar to Isaiah Stewart (2:27). Then, they react to the Grizzlies' oddly timed decision to fire Taylor Jenkins so close to the playoffs and firmly in the postseason picture (11:58). Later, they revisit the Most Improved Player conversation and share their arguments for Austin Reaves after holding his own with the Lakers (18:18). They then address a few rumors, including one involving Devin Booker to the Pistons (27:05). Lastly, Austin gives his three reasons why this 2025 Duke team is actually likable (39:22)! Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi Producer: Erika Cervantes Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Subscibe to PalaceOfPistons.com. Join hosts Aaron Johnson and Jasper Apollonia in this week's episode of the Palace of Pistons Podcast! Dive deep into the latest developments surrounding the Detroit Pistons as they discuss Marcus Sasser's impressive push for a spot in the rotation, Ron Holland's exciting late-season emergence, and the hot debate on whether Cade Cunningham deserves the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year Award. Tune in for insightful analysis, spirited discussions, and all the Pistons news you need to stay in the game! Whether you're a die-hard fan or just curious about the latest happenings in the NBA, this episode is packed with engaging content that you won't want to miss. Let's hit the court!

Dziś w Palmie rozmawiamy o nagrodzie “Most Improved Player”, ale i o największych regresach w tym sezonie, o powrocie Butlera do Miami, o stagnacji w Minnesocie i Indianie, o stagnacji top-rzucających obrońców nie nazywających się Shai, o pewnym meczu Nets i Magic z marca 2012 roku, 39 punktach Bronny'ego Jamesa w G-League, o niemal must-win […]

Don't be fooled by the standings or the calendar: Amin lets guest cohost Jeremy Tache know that the playoffs have already begun! The Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets are battling for the No. 2 seed in the West, while the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a brutal loss to the Chicago Bulls that may have knocked them out of contention. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder compete for the best record in the NBA to claim home court advantage in the Finals. Steph Curry's injury raises concerns about the Golden State Warriors' chances of holding onto the No. 6 seed with the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers right on their heels. Plus, Jeremy gives his definitive take on the MVP race between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and what "Most Improved Player" really means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't be fooled by the standings or the calendar: Amin lets guest cohost Jeremy Tache know that the playoffs have already begun! The Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets are battling for the No. 2 seed in the West, while the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a brutal loss to the Chicago Bulls that may have knocked them out of contention. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder compete for the best record in the NBA to claim home court advantage in the Finals. Steph Curry's injury raises concerns about the Golden State Warriors' chances of holding onto the No. 6 seed with the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers right on their heels. Plus, Jeremy gives his definitive take on the MVP race between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and what "Most Improved Player" really means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Khristina is joined by NC State guard and the ACC’s Most Improved Player, Zoe Brooks, for an important conversation about mental health in college athletics as part of Better Help's "Stop The Madness" Campaign. Zoe opens up about her own journey, the pressures of sports betting and online criticism, and how working with a sports psychologist changed her game. Plus, they dive into the Stop the Madness initiative by BetterHelp, which is offering student-athletes free therapy to break the stigma around mental health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan is joined by Morten Stig Jensen (@msjnba) of The NBA Podcast for Part 2 of their MEGA MAILBAG. This time, they are discussing the Phoenix Suns' disastrous season, Orlando Magic trade targets, rebuilding around LaMelo Ball and Zion Williamson, NBA players who deserve more playing time and MORE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO1:12 - How much is Mike Budenholzer to blame for the Phoenix Suns struggles?8:40 - LaMelo Ball or Zion Williamson?12:42 - Realistic Orlando Magic trade targets21:29 - What should Oklahoma City do with Philadelphia's draft pick?29:22 - Are there any Rookie of the Year sleepers?35:28 - Which Eastern Conference team is the biggest threat to the Cavs and Celtics?44:15 - Should the Rockets prefer a trade for Devin Booker or Kevin Durant?46:44 - NBA players who deserve more attention53:54 - Big Shot or Hip Hop?!?55:00 - Should big names be ineligible for Most Improved Player?1:10:18 - Should the Detroit Pistons trade for a No. 2?1:14:02 - Responding to Shaquille O'Neal1:17:16 - Chicago Bulls All-Time Starting Five1:18:58 - Favorite Bulls front office1:19:22 - How many Bulls players can contribute to a contender?1:23:41 - Should the NBA have entire-team awards?1:26:23 - The best cheesecake toppingsSUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesGrant's Twitter: @gt_hughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Austin and Pausha open by discussing the Cavs' 15-game win streak and how they made the leap this season (2:21). Then, they discuss how the Most Improved Player award is voted on (22:46) before previewing a potential Knicks-Pistons first-round matchup and talking about what goes into hitting a game-winning shot (36:20). Hosts: Austin Rivers and Pausha Haghighi Producer: Stefan Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DJ & PK talked about the All-Big 12 honors that saw Richie Saunders be named Big 12 Most Improved Player and a first team All-Big 12 honoree and what it means overall for the BYU Cougars as they enter the postseason.

On this edition of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine take a look at every single front-runner for each of the NBA Awards: MVP, Most Improved Player, 6th Man of the Year, Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Will the current favorites hang on for the next month? Tom and Dan break down SGA's chances of winning his 1st MVP, and whether LeBron James has a true, viable path to chasing him down (in LeBron chasedown fashion). Evan Mobley is the current DPOY favorite, but Tom explains why he "hates" that. Could Evan's head coach Kenny Atkinson be caught by JB Bickerstaff? Cade Cunningham leads MIP as the Pistons dream season continues, but should former #1 overall picks even be eligible for that award? And the nominees that could catch Payton Pritchard for 6MOY. Plus the guys weigh in on the devastating Kyrie Irving news as it pertains to his looming contract situation, and go in hard on Mavericks GM Nico Harrison.(1:40) - Big Number: SGA or Jokic for MVP? (or LeBron?)(18:55) - Little Number: Defensive Player of the Year(25:20) - Little Number: Coach of the Year(29:50) - Little Number: 6th Man of the Year(34:35) - Most Improved Player(42:55) - Scoreboard update: Tom ties it(44:50) - What Kyrie's injury means for Dallas'

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after a long road trip for Michael Malone's bunch. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets split a recent four-game swing through the Eastern Conference, winning in Indianapolis and Detroit and losing in Milwaukee and Boston. What was the overall takeaway from the trip?  + Seemingly inspired by the Lakers' recent win in Denver, teams are starting to make a habit of roughing up Nikola Jokic. The tactic led to head coach Michael Malone intentionally taking a technical foul less than a minute into the Nuggets' game at Detroit. Is this a problem for Denver? Or yet another Rubik's Cube that the Joker will eventually conquer? + The Nuggets head to Oklahoma City for a big-time back-to-back early next week, with the NBA MVP race likely hanging in the balance. What does Nikola Jokic need to do to surge past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Is a split fine? Or do he and the Nuggets need a sweep? + Julian Strawther is out for at least the next four weeks after suffering a knee injury. Does this mean the second-year guard will be out of the Malone's playoff rotation? What does this mean down the rest of the roster? More run for Jalen Pickett? + Christian Braun has come on strong over the second half of the season, turning in strong offensive numbers while also improving defensively. Could the former Kansas Jayhawk be in the running for Most Improved Player? + The Lakers are surging, the Mavericks are sinking and the Warriors are thriving with Jimmy Butler caring about basketball once again. How will this all shake out come playoff time? The boys review their preseason wins draft. Who's in first place? Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noe

The nerds give their takeaways from a thrilling weekend of NBA action, breaking down what we learned from Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley & the Cleveland Cavaliers' big win over Jayson Tatum & the Boston Celtics and what it means for their chances of winning the East. Then they break down whether the Denver Nuggets have been exposed recently as fake contenders, debate whether Luka Doncic & the Los Angeles Lakers or Kawhi Leonard & the Los Angeles Clippers are a bigger threat in the West, and discuss why Joel Embiid cannot be considered the biggest "What If" in NBA history. Timestamps 00:00:23 - Cavaliers-Celtics Takeaways 00:29:20 - Are the Nuggets fake contenders? 00:52:56 - Is Joel Embiid the biggest “what if” in NBA history? 01:05:26 - Are the Lakers or Clippers more dangerous? 01:19:18 - Who is the Most Improved Player this season? #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith and Dave talk about their favorite Most Improved Player candidates, the surging Pistons, the Spurs losing Pop and Wemby, Jaren Jackson Jr's hurdle to win DPOY, and a lot more.Join the listener slack, only at patreon.com/fastbreakbreakfastGet 20% off a Stathead annual subscription with code FBBFTry Underdog Fantasy and use code FBBF to get a free pick, plus a deposit match up to $1000: play.underdogfantasy.com/p-fastbreak-breakfast.Use promo code FASTBREABREAK at SeatGeek for $20 off your first ticket purchaseCheck out the merchandise sale at teepublic.com/stores/fastbreak-breakfastEpisode 792 (S11 Ep. 17)

Cash That is presented by Rithmm, the premier AI and modeling tool for all of your sports betting needs. Get 7 days for free here! https://rithmm.onelink.me/WX6c/CashThat25% off your first month of Rithmm: https://rithmm.onelink.me/WX6c/CashThatJoin the Huddle on ME for 50% off: https://dubclub.win/af/afl-wpf88/Joe dives in to the Wednesday NBA Slate with Best Bets and angles for each game. Plus he discusses whether or not a #1 overall pick can actually win Most Improved Player!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Cash That and AI Betting Tools01:24 Analyzing the 76ers vs. Knicks Matchup04:31 Raptors vs. Pacers: Injury Impacts and Player Props06:19 Trail Blazers vs. Wizards: Player Performance Insights09:18 Celtics vs. Pistons: Injury Reports and Betting Strategies11:06 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview12:27 Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat Analysis16:03 Clippers vs. Bulls: Injury Reports and Player Insights18:06 Most Improved Player Discussion21:12 Kings vs. Jazz: Key Matchups and Player Props23:30 Spurs vs. Rockets: Injury Impact and Predictions26:03 Betting Strategies and Insights29:14 Pods and Recs

On this episode of Numbers On The Board, Kenny, Pierre, and Mike give their X-Factors for every fringe playoff team. Will the Timberwolves continue to let Jaden McDaniels cook next to Anthony Edwards? Does Cade Cunningham have enough spacing in Detroit and should he really win Most Improved Player? Do X-Factors really matter for the Spurs, Bulls, and Nets or are they just in over their heads? Plus, on “Drop The Mike” Presented by Toyota, the fellas discuss if the Eastern Conference will ever catch up to being as good as the Western Conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coach David Kaplan of the Beyond the Box Score Podcast joins Matt Modderno to go through each of the award winners from the DMV-area basketball teams: American, George Mason, George Washington, Georgetown, Howard, Maryland, and Mount St. Mary's. Many of the players discussed will be names the Wizards should be scouting prior to the NBA Draft. Awards include: 1st-team, 2nd-team, Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Glue Guy, Sniper, X-Factor, Coach of the Year, and Best Dressed Coaching Staff. Tune in to find out who won each award and let us know if there's anyone you think we missed! Presented by betonline.ag! Beyond the Box Score Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-box-score-podcast/id1510900047

(0:50) – Top Headlines: All-Star Weekend Takeaways, Luka Doncic remains on a minutes restriction, Mark Williams and LaMelo Ball expected back for Hornets, Trail Blazers await the return of Scoot Henderson, Jerami Grant, and Robert Williams III(16:45) – Scheduling Breakdown: Intrigue with Moussa Diabate, Stephon Castle, Bol Bol, and other streaming options(24:30) – NBA Awards Breakdown: MVP, Rookie of the Year, 6th Man of the Year, Most Improved Player 

(0:40) – MVP(7:35) – Most Improved Player(15:00) – Defensive Player of the Year(21:25) – 6th Man of the Year(29:30) – Coach of the Year(32:40) – Rookie of the Year(41:55) – Clutch Player of the Year  

0:04 ... Ross welcomes everyone to the show and introduces his co-hosts. 0:34 ... Episode #144 is dedicated to the Thunder and Cavs, who lead their respective conferences with 44 wins at the break. 0:47 ... Ross live BetOnLine commercial read 1:20 ... For our YouTube viewers, Bruce is rocking an All-Star hat from the 1996 All Star game in San Antonio where he first crossed paths with future colleague and lifetime pal Tim Legler, who won the Long Distance Shootout that year. 2:09 ... Ross begins his recap of All Star Weekend and Bruce's initial thought is that he wished he had binge watched "The Landman" on Paramount Plus instead of another boring All-Star weekend. 3:13 ... World B was similarly unimpressed with the gimmicks the league tried.  If the players don't care, the event will always disappoint. 4:14 ... Bruce wonders if the trade deadline should move closer to All-Star weekend to help juice up interest, but World B offers a good reason why that may not be viable.  Ross points out that Damian Lillard had some valid points about player fatigue being a factor in why the game lacks intensity. 6:52 ... Ross recaps the Rising Stars competition and feels that one of the good parts of the weekend was seeing younger guys and G-League players get some exposure.  World B agrees and Bruce says a prime example of that was Stephon Castle of the Spurs, who made a major impact in his events. 9:14 ... Ross mentions rookie Reed Shepherd and wonders if we overhyped him.  Bruce thinks he may be a late bloomer and World B points out how young he is.  World B adds that Houston COULD have drafted Castle and must be kicking themselves over that move. 11:28 ... Ross transitions to the Skills Competition which featured controversy involving an attempt by the Spurs duo of Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama to exploit a loophole in the rules to gain an unfair advantage.  Bruce isn't buying that it was Wemby's idea as he thinks Chris Paul instigated it and made the young dude take the heat for it. 13:58 ... Bruce wonders if these shenanigans chip away at the credibility of the sport. 15:07 ... Tyler Herro beat Buddy Hield in the Long Distance Shootout and the guys discuss how Herro has played through many distractions in Miami and is doing so well. 18:06 ... Mac McClung dominated the Dunk Contest with a variety of cool slams.  Bruce wants to give McClung the "Woody Harrelson White Men CAN Jump Award" as he was reminded of other undersized winners from years past like Spud Webb and Nate Robinson.  World B thinks the dunk over the car was one of the best dunks ever. 21:50 ... Ross recaps the championship game and Bruce highlights Steph Curry's two showstopping shots that won him the MVP Award.  Ross asks World B if the All Star game should have a new gimmick like a 4 of 5 point shot?  World B thinks matchup between Teams from the USA and an International team would help drive interest and players effort. 26:03 ... Preseason prediction recaps ... Bruce starts out with his choice of Stephon Castle as his preseason rookie of the year pick and explains how his big weekend at the All Star game makes him the leader in the clubhouse.  World B whips through some picks he made and says Jalen Williams would win Most Improved Player.  Ross agrees but Bruce likes Cade Cunningham to win the award. 30:37 ... Bruce had Shai Gilgeous Alexander as his MVP pick and he's pretty certain that SGA will win with Nikola Jokic second and Giannis third.  World B thinks SGA is deserving but still makes a great case for Joker. 32:58 ... Ross with a gratuitous cheap shot at World B's Orlando Magic team.  Bruce praises the brutal coldness of the comment.  But Ross's MVP choice of Luka Doncic will not be happening. 34:15 ... The Coach of the Year race?  Ross says Kenny Atkinson will win even though his preseason pick was Jamahl Moseley.  Bruce liked Ime Udoka prior to the season but feels Atkinson will win it.  World B agrees but also gives some flowers to Ty Lue of the Clippers.  Bruce and Ross give a little bit of love to JB Bickerstaff in Detroit who has done a tremendous job with a young team. 39:05 ... Ross tees up the OKC vs Boston finals prediction ... Bruce still likes the Celtics to win it, but they have certainly lacked consistency this season.  Ross shared this prediction but World B liked Minnesota to come out of the west and play Boston. 41:59 ... Ross begins the discussion on second half predictions and Bruce feels like Minnesota could get themselves on a roll as they begin a stretch of 7 out of their next 9 games on the road.  If they can go 6-3, they may be ready to go into the next gear. 43:12 ... World B with some startling facts about Boston's starters and what isn't clicking.  He adds that Cleveland is for real and points out the Cavs have some tough matchups with the Knicks coming up. 46:53 ... Ross predicts the Suns will miss the playoffs entirely, which is shocking considering who is on their team.  But they have a brutal schedule and Bradley Beal is injured and morale around the team seems low. 48:42 ... Bruce chimes in Denver, whom he expects to peak at the right time.  But he does not fully trust Memphis because when Ja Morant plays, they have a much lower winning percentage than they do when he is out of the lineup. 50:22 ... Ross wraps it up and says goodbye. TRT 50:38                        

Cam and The Beast bring insight into the complete Miami Hurricanes' coaching staff. Gator fans are in their feels about one of the new hires. D Lew is back home at The U. It's a home run hire for Mario Cristobal, who has shown he will not be denied grabbing a coach from another program whenever he needs to. Segment two has the boys arguing about who Cam thinks was the Most Improved Player of the Year for the Canes in 2024. ( Read his article here) . We also let you know who will most likely be sidelined for Spring Practice, and try to predict who might be this year's Spring Practice Wonder! Go read all of the great work at StateofTheU.com!

With no Justin for this episode, Rob and Wos open up the listener mailbag! They start by giving their thoughts on the Brandon Ingram extension (5:41) before answering your questions about the Warriors (15:25), the Sixers' disastrous season (26:07), Russell Westbrook for Most Improved Player (37:51), who makes first-team All-NBA in 2030 (43:55), and much more. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Rob Mahoney and Wosny Lambre Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBC's Jay Croucher joins the show to discuss why he likes Normal Powell to win Most Improved Player, and his thoughts on the Oklahoma City Thunder. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Numbers On The Board, Kenny, Pierre, Mike, and Darrick create their own NBA Trade Deadline with deals they cooked themselves! On “Drop The Mike”, the fellas talked about teams that would disappoint them if they didn't make a move. Plus, Darrick tells us why Trey Murphy III is “Mills' Man of the Week” and if he should be getting more love in the Most Improved Player category. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who will claim the NBA's mid-season glory? Dive into the heated debate over the MVP race featuring Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as experts weigh in on their standout performances. This episode unpacks the contenders for Defensive Player of the Year, spotlighting Victor Wembanyama's towering presence and the dynamic defensive skills of Amen Thompson and Lu Dort. Join Host Wes Goldberg and Mike Shearer, writer of Basketball Poetry, as they share insights on the Most Improved Player award, including names like Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson and Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro. The conversation also highlights Sixth Man of the Year hopefuls, including Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard and Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, and evaluates Coach of the Year candidates like Orlando Magic head man Jamahl Mosley. Subscribe on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealGMRadio RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com Subscribe to RealGM Radio on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or via the RSS feed. #nba #basketball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

‘Top 10' and ‘Detroit Pistons' are not two words you hear together often, but Cade Cunningham has led the Pistons to a 21-19 record and a near top-10 offense so far this season. Third most in the NBA in triple-doubles, and improving statistically in several major categories from last season, does Cade Cunningham deserve a shout for the NBA's Most Improved Player award? Or does a player finally meeting his potential three years after being drafted no.1 not qualify for something like ‘most improved?' Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine answer these questions and more with this week's Big Number.Dan brings four more numbers to the table to ask which came first in Detroit's success this season: Cade Cunningham's improved shooting or the Pistons surrounding him with multiple 3-point shooters? The chicken or the egg? Perhaps it doesn't even matter, just as long as the Detroit Pistons are eating eggs for breakfast in Motor City.To wrap, the pair checks in on their over/unders competitions and make two, new Detroit-centric picks.(1:49) The Big Number: 7(5:05) Should Cunningham win Most Improved Player?(15:30) The Little Numbers: 113.5(20:24) The Little Numbers: 8.1(24:04) Cade Cunningham minigame(26:22) The Little Numbers: 37.6(30:24) The Little Numbers: 5.9(37:32) Detroit Pistons over/undersCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

John and Bill are back on CBSSN with a full breakdown of all the major awards at the halfway point of the NBA season. (0:00) Intro (2:40) Most Valuable Player (12:40) Rookie of the Year (22:00) Is This the Worst Rookie Class in Recent Memory? (23:00) Coach of the Year (26:38) Defensive Player of the Year (31:41) Sixth Man of the Year (36:00) Most Improved Player (40:48) Team(s) of the Night

The Giants 2024 Season has come to an end so Bobby and Justin will now hand out their yearly Giants awards.00:00 Ryan Cowden Leaves Giants for Patriots
05:00 Offensive Most Outstanding Player12:10 Defensive Most Outstanding Player
21:00 Most Underrated 
34:20 Most Improved Player
45:10 Most underwhelming 
54:00 Rookie of The yearThis episode was brought to you by SeatGeekUse code GIANTS2025 for 10% off tickets on SeatGeek. https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/GIANTS10 *Up to $25 offDownload the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use promo code WORLDJoin our Patreon: https://Patreon.com/TalkinGiantsTickets to our tailgates: https://shop.jomboymedia.com/products/talkin-giants-l16-tailgate-series-1Check out our Merch: https://shop.jomboymedia.com/collections/talkin-giantsSubscribe to JM Football for our NFL coverage: https://www.youtube.com/@JMFootballSubscribe to the JM Newsletter: http://jomboymedia.com/email#giants #nygiantsGAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT) or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD).21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/dk-offer-terms. Ends 2/9/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Slam N Jam Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball, Who will win the Most Improved Player, the insane Cavs/Thunder game, Mazzula quotes, best and worst catch and shoot players, Pistons success and more. Then they are joined by Will Guillory of the Athletic to discuss the New Orleans Pelicans and if it's possible to turn the team around this season, what Zion's return means, and what kind of player they would want in the draft. Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against a beat writer. Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers With: New Orleans Pelicans Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht Audio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ringer's Anthony Dabbundo joins the show to break down his favorite Week 18 NFL bets. Then Nick Kostos and Femi Abebefe discuss the College Football Playoff semifinals, Charles Barkley blasting JJ Redick and how many NFL coaches will get fired. They wrap up the hour by diving into the standoff between Jimmy Butler and the Heat and how Miami trading Butler could impact the Most Improved Player market. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick Kostos and Femi Abebefe discuss the standoff between Jimmy Butler and the Heat and how Miami trading Butler could impact the Most Improved Player market. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Chatterbox Bearcats, hosts Nick Niehaus and Eric Lilly preview the upcoming Arizona game and introduce the inaugural "Chatties" awards. They discuss key players to watch in the Arizona matchup, including Caleb Love and Toby Awaka. The hosts then present awards for categories such as Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Comeback Player of the Year, reflecting on standout moments from Cincinnati's basketball and football seasons.  Subscribe to Chatterbox Bearcats on YouTube and Instagram.

On Tue.'s No Dunks, the guys discuss Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks beating the Raptors before hitting the beach to answer NBA questions about how many current Most Improved Player winners will be future Hall of Famers, Kevin Love's outlet passes and the All-Liam Neeson Team, phishing emails, and more. That, plus things to watch for in tonight's NBA Cup quarterfinal games. ▶️ Join the No Dunks Playback room tonight for Magic-Bucks: https://www.playback.tv/nodunks

Nick Whalen and Brandon Kravitz recap the top news of the day, including another injury for Scottie Barnes. The guys also preview the NBA Cup, buy or sell some waiver wire options. 00:00 Intro 05:50 NBA Cup best bets 06:45 Knicks-Raptors + Scottie Barnes injury 13:45 RJ Barrett, Most Improved Player, East All-Star candidates 19:50 Jimmy Butler trade rumors 26:45 Yves Missi 30:25 Christian Braun 31:50 Jalen Suggs 33:45 Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler 35:30 KAT, Wembanyama, Jalen Williams, Vassell trade 36:45 Sharpe, Kuminga, Bruan, Beasley 38:10 Cam Johnson, Garland, Haliburton trade ----- DraftKings Pick6 Download the new DraftKings Pick6 app now and use code RWPICKS. That's code RWPICKS for new Pick6 customers to play $5, get $50 in Pick6 credits guaranteed. Gambling Problem? Call one eight hundred gambler. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit c c p g dot org in Connecticut. Must be 18+, age and eligibility restrictions vary by jurisdiction. Pick6 not available everywhere, including New York and Ontario. Void where prohibited. One per new customer. Bonus awarded as non-withdrawable Pick Six Credits that expire in thirty days. Limited time offer. See terms at https://pick6.draftkings.com/promos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Michael Pina's filling in for Howard and is joined by Raja Bell to hand out some awards after a quarter of the season. They give their picks for MVP (2:46), Defensive Player of the Year (15:25), Coach of the Year (24:07), Rookie of the Year (31:50), Most Improved Player (36:24), and Sixth Man of the Year (44:40). Hosts: Michael Pina and Raja Bell Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to give their quarter-season NBA awards picks & to discuss each race in detail for MVP, DPOY, All-NBA & much more! CHAPTERS: 5:40 NBA Awards Intro for the Podcast Explainer 10:20 MVP 44:30 All-NBA 1:22:00 Defensive Player of the Year 1:31:00 All-Defense Teams 1:46:25 Most Improved Player, 6th Man of the Year, Coach of the Year 1:57:40 Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie 2:04:30 Trivia Time! Visit our partners over at PRIZEPICKS to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORY ROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold membership is offered by Robinhood Gold, LLC. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL! FOLLOW GAME THEORY ON SOCIALS: TWITTER - @GameTheorySamV INSTAGRAM - @GameTheorySamV TIKTOK - @GameTheorySamV THREADS - @GameTheorySamV BLUESKY - @GameTheorySamV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Munaf Manji and Mackenzie Rivers take a look at the NBA Friday slate for Black Friday. Munaf and Mackenzie also discuss futures wagers and best bets.

Nick Kostos finds YOU a soccer winner for this weekend's English Premier League card. Plus, Nick and Femi dive into NBA Rookie & Most Improved Player of the Year. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices