MONTA!

by BD2JR on Apr 26, 2007 11:12 AM PDT

Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors was named the winner of the 2006-07 NBA Most Improved Player Award, the NBA announced today. The annual award is presented to a player who has made a dramatic improvement from the previous season or seasons.

Ellis received a total of 352 points, including 47 first-place votes, from a panel of 129 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The Sacramento Kings' Kevin Martin finished second with 349 points (44 first-place votes) followed by the Utah Jazz's Deron Williams with 101 points (13 first-place votes). Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third place vote received. This is the closest finish in the history of the award since 1990-91 when Scott Skiles of Orlando edged out Kevin Gamble of Boston by four votes

After averaging 6.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists and .415 shooting for the Warriors in 2005-06, Ellis increased his scoring by 9.7 points (16.5 ppg) - the largest increase in the NBA this season -- to go along with his averages of 3.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.71 steals. Starting 53 of the 77 games he appeared in, Ellis reached double figures in scoring 68 times, including 24 games of 20 or more points. The 6-3 guard recorded three or more steals 20 times and had at least five steals three times, including a career-high six at Seattle (March 17).

Hopefully this will inspire our dubs tommorow night!

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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Oh Boy!

They better pass that trophy out Friday night, we're so going crazy!

by orangino on Apr 26, 2007 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

woo hoo!

congrats Monta! some much needed good news after last night's debacle and with the possible Jack suspension looming.

by dirrty on Apr 26, 2007 11:16 AM PDT reply actions

Congratulations to Monta!

Yeah I hope they present the award in front of the home crowd on Friday too. I'm surprised Monta only won by 3 points.

by nautica on Apr 26, 2007 11:29 AM PDT reply actions

WOW

congrats Monta! This makes me feel better after last night! You deserve it young buck! Hold it down for tha bay!

Playoff Rally 2006-2007

by tadams1080 on Apr 26, 2007 11:39 AM PDT reply actions

Award presented on Fri

According to the warriors playoff blog, a special guest will award the trophy to Monta on Fri.

by schmoe13 on Apr 26, 2007 11:41 AM PDT reply actions

i'll bet

that the special guest would be David Stern.

by nautica on Apr 26, 2007 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions

how about

jessica alba?? lol

by thewarriorsrule on Apr 26, 2007 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Is the timing of these awards

on purpose or coincidence? They announce Leandro Barbosa's award and present it to him before a Suns home game the other day... wonder if Monta's was "hey that Warriors kid got most of the votes, better announce it Thursday so we can give it to him Friday before his home game"

but anyway, YEAH MONTA!

Be a drinsch!

by Dactyllic on Apr 26, 2007 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

We're proud of you Monta

who cares about MVPs, you're our MIP.

RUN TMC!

by ZombieWarrior on Apr 26, 2007 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

Congratulations

Congrats to Monta!
Keep up the hard work, young man!

I agree, this does make me feel better after last night's loss. Along with our strong finish to the season, this also shows that we have a young player willing to work hard and improve our team.

GO GSW!

by mojo X on Apr 26, 2007 11:48 AM PDT reply actions

YES! 8!

Go Monta! Now you've got the national stage to show EVERYONE (not just the sportswriters who voted for you) why you deserve it. Go Warriors! game Three! I'll be cheering from my couch, wearing my Ellis jersey!

by MIPs on Apr 26, 2007 11:49 AM PDT reply actions

kudos

congrats Monta! this is the positive news that we need to help boost the Dubs sprits! Go Warriors!!!

i just renewed my belief in the Warriors! So much that i'm a season ticket holder for next year! GO WARRIORS!!

by kevinBELIEVES on Apr 26, 2007 12:17 PM PDT reply actions

dope!

go monta! big things young man. off season should be full of improvement.

i hear he's got a sponsorship from Proactiv coming up too, so he's got that going for him....which is nice.

by redape on Apr 26, 2007 12:23 PM PDT reply actions

LOL

by yuletak on Apr 26, 2007 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Monta

Props to the boy Monta. I think its safe to say we all love the guy and it will be a great site to see him recieve this award 2morrow night. I cant wait to be there, this is honestly the most exciting thing I will have ever been apart of as far as sports go...this is going to be great.