Image courtesy of Sleepy Freud
In what was the closest Most Improved Player voting ever, Monta Ellis came out on top, just 3 points ahead of Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin. I have no doubt in my mind that his amazing performance at the Rookie-Sophomore All-Star game is what put him over the top. We can call that his national coming out party as he was the most dynamic player on the court. Alley-oop after alley-oop opened the eyes of the media members to something that Warriors fans knew all along, this kid can play.
People have drawn comparisons of Monta to Gilbert Arenas. Both were 2nd round picks, both didn't get to play much in their first years. Both are explosive guards. Neither fit into a typical basketball position because they didn't fit the point guard or shooting guard mold. Now, by winning the Most Improved Player award, Monta has continued to follow in Gilbert's footsteps. The one major difference between Monta and Gilbert? The Warriors are going to sign Monta and keep him on the team after the end of this year.
Anyways, big ups to Monta for winning the award! I'm sure they'll do a ceremony before the game on Friday where there will be 20,000 Warriors fans congratulating him.
Thanks to BD2JR for posting this earlier in MONTA!.
Who was your pick for Most Improved Player?