Coming into this season, we knew the Detroit Pistons would need big leaps from their young players to be competitive and so far, that has happened to an extent.
Both Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey have been dynamic early on and are putting to rest some of the questions about their long-term fit.
They’ve also been playing more energetic defense, which is most important, as Cunningham is already most of the way to his blocked shot total from last season just 15 games into this one.
We knew Cunningham was going to thrive with a better team around him, so most of the focus was on Ivey this offseason and so far, he has not disappointed.
He is one of the early frontrunners for Most Improved Player, especially with the Pistons currently in the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference, which not many people saw coming.
Here is Ivey’s biggest competition for the award right now. It’s still very early, but these five players have been impressive and I’d put them all on equal footing right now when it comes to taking home the award.
Jaden Ivey
Ivey has jumped up to 18.9 points per game after averaging just over 15 last season, but it’s been his efficiency that has been impressive.
He’s shooting 45 percent from the floor, up from 42 percent last season, and is hitting 37 percent of his 3-point shots on over five attempts per game, all career highs.
The game has slowed down for Ivey, who is making better decisions, taking better shots and doing a decent job of running the show when Cunningham goes to the bench.
His teammates clearly feed off his energy and Ivey has gotten so much better about knowing when to turn on the afterburners and when to slow it down, something he struggled with in the first two seasons.
His assists and rebounds are both up this season from last, but he does need to cut down on the turnovers.
Ivey’s start is further indictment of Monty Williams, who made him the 11th man in the rotation some nights last season. Can we fire Monty again?
LaMelo Ball
The Hornets are also off to a decent start behind brilliant play from LaMelo Ball, who is averaging just under 30 points per game this season, up from 23 last year when he only played 22 games total.
Ball is leading the NBA in 3-point attempts with an absurd 12.8 per game and hitting 36 percent of them while adding 6.7 assists and five rebounds. He’s also leading the NBA in turnovers, so all of that usage is taking its toll.
Norman Powell
Powell has always been a favorite of mine, as he’s one of those guys who doesn’t get much attention but is a professional scorer, which he is showing this season.
Who needs Kawhi Leonard when Powell is currently scoring over 23 points per game while hitting an excellent 47 percent from long range on over eight attempts per game.
He’s the main reason the Clippers have gotten off to a 7-7 start even though they are without their best player.
Tyler Herro
It’s Herro’s improved efficiency that has landed him here, as the Pistons saw firsthand when he killed them for 40 points in their last meeting.
Herro is getting five more points per game than last season while shooting 49 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from long range on nearly 10 attempts per game, all of which are career highs.
His play has kept Miami afloat during an early stretch without Jimmy Butler.
Buddy Hield
It’s good to see Buddy Hield unleashed again after playing a minor role last season. He’s a big reason for the Warriors’ hot start, as Hield is averaging 17.7 points per game, up five points from last season.
He’s doing what he does best, which is hit 3-point shots at a high clip, averaging 47 percent on over eight attempts per game and shooting 49 percent from the floor overall.
There will be other players who emerge for this award, but right now, the Pistons unexpectedly good start and Ivey’s improved efficiency have him firmly among the frontrunners.