Pelicans: Is Zion Williamson in the running for Most Improved Player?

Zion Williamson has been nothing short of spectacular this season for the New Orleans Pelicans and the league has taken notice.

We know this because the delusional New York media has already started the “Zion will be a Knick!” nonsense even though he is under contract for two more seasons and has given no indication that he is unhappy in New Orleans.

We hear this every season out of the Knicks’ media machine, but please name the player who is eager to join the Knicks. I’ll wait.

The New Orleans Pelicans feature last year’s Most Improved Player, Brandon Ingram and many thought that one of his teammates could take home the award this season.

Of course, that teammate was Lonzo Ball, not Zion Williamson, but things have changed since the beginning of the season. Lonzo has taken a different role and thrived in it, while Zion has put the Pels’ offense on his back and made them one of the best in the league.

Lonzo Ball has probably missed too much time to be in the running for Most Improved Player, but what about Zion Williamson? Does he have a case?

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson is the Most Improved Player

The MIP award is usually given to players like Ingram, who make a big leap from mediocrity to All-Star level play.

But what about a player who goes from very good to great? This is the case with Zion Williamson, who was very good in his 24 games last season and has been great in the 44 in this one.

Zion has improved in every single statistical category, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and even field goal percentage.

Zion is putting up 26.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists on an astounding 62 percent from the field.

We’ve not seen numbers like this since prime Shaq and Zion is doing it as a point-forward hybrid the likes of which the league has never seen.

The New Orleans Pelicans are not likely to make the playoffs, but if they even get close, then Zion has to be considered for this award, as he has improved in every aspect of the game and is carrying a young team with a new head coach.

He has gotten better defensively and has only missed a couple of games, which was the knock against his rookie campaign.

There are certainly other worthy candidates, but none of them are as good as Zion Williamson, who shouldn’t be overlooked just because he was already very good and turned into a superstar.