Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie took to social media after Thursday night's NBA restart to share his thoughts on who should be named Most Improved Player in the NBA this season.
As part of a reply to Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks' tweet, which asked this very question, Dinwiddie listed Bam Adebayo and Devonte' Graham as his top choices instead of Ingram. Dinwiddie didn't include Ingram because he believes giving MIP to a top-three pick is “like picking the ugliest Victoria's Secret model.”
Bam or Graham. BI a killer but giving MIP to a top 3 pick is like picking the ugliest Victoria secret model or something https://t.co/0RWQRKq2YK
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 31, 2020
As you might expect, fans began chiming in to question his stance, especially since he supported former teammate D'Angelo Russell for the award last season. Russell, of course, was the No. 2 pick in 2015.
Knew this was coming. His is just as much about career arc and journey so I 100% stand by my DLo MIP stance
Whereas BI, no one said he was buns. Ppl believed in him. Just didn’t fit with Bron and timing wasn’t right in LA. https://t.co/9ln4mHmNn1
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 31, 2020
Spencer Dinwiddie also replied to another fan who argued that draft selection should not have an impact on the voting for MIP:
Draft selection does matter because it inherently determines opportunity barring injury or something else drastic. https://t.co/3fevdK5sSX
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 31, 2020
The Lakers traded Ingram, along with Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, to the Pelicans in July 2019. Ingram has played well for New Orleans thus far, and he should indeed be viewed as a candidate for this award this season. In Thursday night's tough loss to the Utah Jazz, Ingram racked up 23 points on 7-of-20 shooting, eight rebounds and one block.
Bam Adebayo's name continues to pop up in MIP discussions as well. The Miami Heat forward is a solid defensive player, but he can also contribute on the offensive end of the floor (16.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals in 65 appearances). He and Jimmy Butler are largely responsible for Miami's move into an Eastern Conference threat.
Devonte' Graham was one of the few bright spots for the Charlotte Hornets. An second-round pick in 2018, Graham became a starter this season and averaged 18.2 points, 7.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds after playing limited minutes as a rookie.
The NBA has stated that stats from the bubble will not count toward any award races for this campaign. Many view Ingram and Adebayo as the favorites, but Spencer Dinwiddie doesn't think the Pelicans All-Star should win.
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