New York Knicks point guard Brandon Jennings is a frontrunner for Sixth Man of the Year. He should also be a frontrunner for Most Improved Player.
New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson has challenged Brandon Jennings to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. That’s an admirable and realistic goal for a career starter turned backup who has something to prove.
Though the Sixth Man of the Year award is a realistic goal, it’s not the only accolade that Jennings could win in 2016-17.
Jennings is entering his eighth NBA season. He spent his first four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, played 144 games for the Detroit Pistons, and appeared in 25 games with the Orlando Magic.
One of his former teammates, All-NBA center Andre Drummond, believes Jennings will win more than just Sixth Man of the Year in 2016-17.
Saying this now! @brandonjennings for MIP AND 6th man of the year! Keep catching bodies!
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) October 13, 2016
That isn’t as blasphemous a belief as it may seem.
Jennings is a legitimate candidate for the Most Improved Player award. That would put him in revered territory, as a vast majority of the most recent award winners are household names or decorated players.
Jennings could join soon join the star-caliber players who have won Most Improved Player.
Four of the past six players to win the award have made at least one All-Star Game or All-NBA appearance. Kevin Love is a two-time All-NBA honoree, Paul George has earned three All-NBA selections, Goran Dragic has one All-NBA nod, and Jimmy Butler is a two-time All-Star.
The question is: can Jennings win Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year award in 2016-17? It’s more likely than it may seem.