The second half of the 2017-18 NBA season is well underway, which means it is a good idea to take a look at the five small forwards who have improved their game the most from last season to this season.<\/p>\n
Over the next three or four weeks, I will take a look at each position from point guard to center. This will help round out the candidates for the NBA\u2019s Most Improved Player Award. Last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a><\/strong> of the Milwaukee Bucks took home the hardware. The \u201cGreek Freak\u201d played almost the same amount of minutes from 2015-16 (35.3 to 35.6). But he scored almost six more points per game (22.9 to 28.5).<\/p>\n Fast forward to this season and Antetokounmpo is an MVP candidate on a Bucks team that ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference; a half game behind the sixth-place Indiana Pacers.<\/p>\n I have already looked at the five most improved point guards<\/a> and shooting guards<\/a>.<\/p>\n This article will look at the point, assist, steal and block production +\/- averages for players listed as point guards, according to hoopsstats.com. In addition, we will look at their eff rating, which Hoops Stats uses to measure a player\u2019s overall efficiency at both ends. Other stats including effective field goal percentage (eFG%), which weighs three and two-point baskets differently and true shooting percentage (TS%), which combines a players\u2019 field goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage to more effectively measure shooting prowess, will be utilized.<\/p>\n But, eff rating measures players overall contributions. Therefore, that stat will determine their ranking.<\/p>\n Antetokounmpo topped last seasons improvement list<\/a>. Find out who is at the top of the list so far this season!<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZjiKIXUdBSY<\/p>\n The Wizards have missed John Wall<\/strong><\/a> for a large chunk of this season, and Kelly Oubre<\/strong> Jr<\/strong><\/a>. has been one big reason why the team has stayed afloat.<\/p>\n Except for an occasional start here and there, Oubre has been an invaluable part of the Wizards\u2019 productive bench.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old, who is already in his third NBA season, has averaged seven more minutes per game this season and his production has spiked with more playing time.<\/p>\n Oubre is on pace to be a double-digit scorer for the first time in his career (6.3 to 12.1 points per game this season) and his true shooting percentage (TS%), from 52 to 58 percent, and Player Efficiency Rating (PER), from 9.1 to 13.6, have both risen.<\/p>\n Oubre punctuated his career year to this point with 26 points in 31 minutes against the Detroit Pistons on ESPN last Friday.<\/p>\n The sky is the limit for him.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1XjZ-gs4LxA<\/p>\nStock Watch: 5 Most Improved Small Forwards<\/strong><\/h2>\n
No. 5: Kelly Oubre<\/a> Jr. – Washington Wizards (+5.7 eff rating)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
No. 4: Taurean Prince<\/a> – Atlanta Hawks (+6.2 eff rating)<\/strong><\/h3>\n