Harris improved scoring wise thats about it its the same guy

Harris deserves to be named MIP without a doubt. I am suprised myself that it hasn’t been mentioned yet. Usually, the MVP is the last one mentioned. I really hope that this doesn’t turn into another award that overlooks the Nets such as when JKidd was said to be the favorite to win the MVP back in 2002, but went to Tim Duncan instead. I have a feeling that if Harris wasn’t playing for the Nets, he would have won it hands down.

how is MIP announced after MVP? lol

Maybe it got tied and they’re figuring out what to do lol

Does anyone really care whether Harris wins Most Improved Player or not? I sure don’t. This mediocre personal accolaid really means nothing. All that matters is Devin Harris getting this team back to the playoffs. That is all that matters.

its true…but the nets arent playing right now, so its something to look foward to as a nets fan

Harris has to get it. He’s an all-star and he had a buzzer beater against the Pacers and that miracle shot against the sixers.

If anything the entertainment value will have to come into play if players are for so close in the running…for some strange reason.

I’d prefer Harris not get the award. He needs to become a better all around player and it didn’t look like he cared to make anyone around him better after his all star selection. Maybe getting robbed of the MIP award will humble him and make him work harder?

Shd have drafted Granger….

Agree with mt57 – every time I hear about Granger I get upset. I was praying for Thorn to take Granger when he fell to us in the draft, but Thorn went and drafted Antoine Wright. Ugh.

As to the award – who cares. I think Harris and Granger played about equally well. I would give a slight nod to Granger for the award because last year he wasn’t as good as Harris, so he therefore improved more. But really, who cares.

It should be noted that both players were bad defenders last year. I think I actually might take Rondo as MIP over both of them – unlike Harris and Granger, he improved both offensively and defensively.

Whether anyone wants him to get this award or not, Harris deserves it. Not only did he turn himself into an elite Pg from an average – above average Pg but if he had guys around him that could consistently knock down open shots his assists would have been around 7.5 – 8 per game. Harris is a beast and he without question deserves this award.

i agree with the Dollar bill, the award should not be given to a player that didnot make it into the playoffs and didnot elevate any other player beside him, not to mention on his pathelic defense.

it’s an odd award to get. Most Improved… that implies that Devin became a much better player. I think he was probably just as good the previous season, but had a different role. His numbers greatly improved as he took advantage of the opportunity this season. I’d like to see the winning player improve significantly, while staying on the same team and playing same position/minutes as the previous season.

What’s the holdup? Seems like MVP should have been the last award. NBA is Amazing !!!!

I hope that the MIP award isn’t going into a recount that the Florida ballots had durring the 2000 presidential election.

@ seeker

So Granger doesn’t deserve it either? Harris and Granger are easily the best candidates to win this award. Making the playoffs would have helped either one though I agree.

Elevating the games of those around a player is very hard to judge. Just because Yi Jianlian couldn’t knock down the wide open shots, Harris should be penalized for it? Lopez, Anderson, Hayes and Carter all had very good seasons. Carter doesn’t really count because he always scores a lot. Do they count? If Harris had guys around him who could knock down open shots, he would have averaged 7.5 – 8 assists per game like I said before.

MIP may have been given to LBJ as well

@ A.S.

Nice comment. Rondo made huge strides this season and is now an elite PG after being a mid to late first rounder. I remember thinking what a mistake the Celtics made by drafting Rondo right in front of us getting Marcus Williams. Shows what I know.

It would be great for the NBA to recognize more than scoring, and it is odd that Rondo is not in most discussions on this “award”. That being said, he is still a piece of bleepin’ Celtic bleep who is developing a tendency to take nasty cheap shots, but give the man his due—we’ll be hating him for the next ten years. Harris will still probably win the award.

I dont want to hear that “can’t knock down shots” nonsense. Rondo plays an all around game with points, assists, rebounds, and solid on the ball defense. Harris could care less about defense.

Anyone care to comment on whether Harris should be considered and “elite” or “upper echelon” player? His ability to drive and finish around the rim is great, as well as his mid range shot. But other than that, I don’t really see much to his game, no 3, no D, average passing ability, slightly above average handles (enough for an OK cross over), not a leader. I think his stats are inflated for the most part because the offense is centered around his production and decision making, drive and shoot/layup or pass. For those who fault the cast for not being able to make open shots all the time, Harris could just as easily have had more assists if we ran something towards the rim and not just a Brook and roll. As it stands, I think LBJ may take home the MIP, you can’t dismiss any argument for him, improved defense, scoring and passing efficiency, and has become a great leader. Though he hasn’t necessarily jumped up leaps and bounds from last year, the league loves him and aren’t afraid to show favoritism as proven in the past and throughout these playoffs.

@ Mr Dollar Bills

Yeah that’s nonsense alright. Because we all know having teammates knock down WIDE OPEN shots isn’t important if you want your assists to be high. Give me a break. If you wanna thrash his defense then go for it, because his defense is capable of being lock down but his effort is pathetic. Don’t say he’s not good at elevating the game of those around him though because it’s just simply not true.

You speak of Rondo who obviously turned into a very very good Pg in this league but seriously? I’m pretty sure any one of us could average close to 10 assists with Pierce, Allen, KG and a strong bench with a sharpshooter like House on it.

It amazes me how some fans can be. Harris is the face of the franchise, single handedly gave us an exciting year and brought an UNBELIEVEABLE amount of attention to this franchise this year and half of you just sit here bashing the kid. What’s wrong with some of you?

I have to disagree about how you grade Harris in certain areas. It’s your opinion so i’m not saying your wrong but I have to disagree.

His penetrating skills are elite

The way he draws fouls is elite

His finishing skills are pretty good but they’re capable of being better.

Three point shooting is very inconsistent but has great potential because when he’s hot you just can’t stop him
 
Mid range is better but still inconsistent.

Passing ability is average imo but his athleticism allows him to create plays the most.

His ball handling is elite, I mean the way he broke ankles this year and made even the best defenders look flat out stupid was spectacular. He could be running full speed, stop on a dime and pull up and shoot the J.

His defense is all about effort. You can’t have Tony Parker say he’s a nightmare when he’s defending you and actually be poor. It’s without question all about effort imo. He shuts down elite Pg’s and then gets scored on at will and looks carelss against lower talent.

A leader is probably not in the cards for Harris. I could see Lopez being that down the road but Harris…probably not.

I would gather all of these things together and say he’s an elite Pg. If Harris didn’t perform well this year there was no chance of winning. He single handedly won us games and put us in position to beat elite teams. Harris is a beastly player and i’m shocked by the negativity by some here.