NBA Most Improved Player

Some NBA players sit on the bench early in their careers learning the game before breaking out, while other players jump right into the league and have success. Dorell Wright fits the first description.

Drafted by the Miami Heat with the No. 19 overall pick in 2004, Wrights six seasons with the Heat were a rollercoaster ride. During his time, he never started more than 33 games.

He spent his first two seasons on the bench as the Heat were competing for championships. He became a rotation player in his third year and got injured in his fourth season. The injury lingered to the point where he missed his fifth season. And lastly, his final season in Miami was his breakout season.

Now in his first season with Golden State, Wright has flourished as a full-time starter. He has started every game in Oakland this year after being a benchwarmer for the majority of his years in Miami.

He has shined being the Warriors third-wheel, playing alongside Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. His production is up in almost every offensive category. His points per game have jumped from 7.1 to 16.5. His rebounds per game went from 3.3 to 5.3. He has also doubled his steals a game, now averaging 1.4.

Along with all those stats he is shooting a career best from three, at 39.2%. He has made the most threes in the NBA while attempting the most threes in the NBA.

Prior to coming to Golden State the knock on Wright was that he is injury prone. Wright has dispelled all the naysayers by starting all 75 games for the Warriors. Durability cannot be questioned this season as he is averaging the fifth most minuets among small forwards, at 38.4

Some people will make a case for Minnesota’s Kevin Love. The difference between the two is that Love was the main guy in Minnesota already last year. Love is averaging 20.3 points per game and 15.4 points per game this seasons. Those numbers are up from 14 points per game and 11 rebounds per game last season. With Love the production was already there.

The fact that Wright is flourishing as Golden State’s third option cannot be stated enough. Monta Ellis is a gunner, leading the league in field goal attempts. The same can be said about Curry, who ranks fourth amongst point guards in field goal attempts.

Not to be overlooked is that fact that Wright’s defensive intensity has improved.

Wright has finally been given a chance, and is producing. That is why he is the NBA’s Most Improved Player.