Paul George wins 2013 NBA Most Improved Player Award
It only seems fitting that after becoming only the second player in franchise history to record a playoff triple-double, he would get some recognition. After delivering a stat line of 23 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in the Indiana Pacers playoff win over the Atlanta Hawks, Paul George was officially awarded the NBA Most Improved Player Award. He joins the ranks of Danny Granger, Jermaine O”Neal and Jalen Rose among Indiana Pacers who have won the award.
In a season that George helped his team become one of the biggest threats in the Eastern Conference, it is fitting that he would come away with some hardware. This season, George was a member of the NBA All-Star team. Along with this honor, he also hit career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game. Before this season, his career high average was 12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists. In 2012-2013, George soared to 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists. The Pacers are now 1 and 0 in the first round of the playoffs, entering in the third position playing the sixth place Atlanta Hawks.
Though the votes were not unanimous, George did receive 311 of a possible 1,080 points from a group of 120 sports analysts. Of these, 52 were first place votes. He was followed by Greivis Vasquez of the New Orleans Hornets, who had 146 points and 13 first place votes, and Larry Sanders of Milwaukee Bucks with 141 points and 10 first place votes. According the USA Today, the voting broken down to players receiving, “…five points for each first place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third place vote…”
George and the Pacers are thought to be one of the biggest threats to dethroning the Miami Heat for Eastern Conference Champions. They continue their battle for the title on April 24 against the Hawks.
Photo courtesy of MNG Interactive
