Since the NBA started handing out the Most Improved Player award, no player over 30 has ever won it, but Duncan Robinson of the Detroit Pistons is trying to change the narrative.
Darrell Armstrong was 30 years old when he won the award back in 1998-99, and he still stands as the oldest player to ever win Most Improved Player in the NBA.
It makes sense, as we usually see the award go to younger players who have a breakout season or for guys who suddenly step into a bigger role and make the most of it, as we saw last season with Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Robinson is a known commodity at this point in his career, as he is 32 years old and has been in the league for nearly a decade.
But Robinson is re-writing the narrative around his game and could end up making history for the Pistons.
Duncan Robinson’s way-too-early case for Most Improved Player
We are only 10 games into the season, so to say this is a bit premature is an understatement, as a million things could change between now and when this award eventually gets handed out.
The Pistons have been missing Jalen Duren and Isaiah Joe for most of the season, which has increased opportunities for Robinson to step into the role of second scorer, which may not be the case when Duren returns.
But Robinson has made the most of those opportunities, averaging 18.6 points per game, which would easily be the best of his career. Even in his best season, Robinson only averaged 13.5 points per game and he averaged just 12 last year.
Not only is Robinson scoring more, but his movement and gravity have been key to the offense. He’s shooting an outstanding 46 percent from 3-point range on over nine attempts per game, so Robinson is forcing other teams to pay attention to him, which opens up the offense, especially in the half court, where the Pistons have been improved this season, partly because of Robinson’s start.
Robinson hasn’t just been doing it as a movement shooter, as he’s gotten to the line over four times per game so far, which would easily be the tops of his career by a wide margin.
His defense has improved, as Robinson is getting 1.5 steals per game (more than Ausar Thompson) and is finding ways to overcome some of his limitations with better positioning and anticipation.
Robinson knows teams targeted him as the weak link in the Pistons defense and has put in work to make himself better on that end by being more disruptive in passing lanes and by getting his hands on the ball.
Does all of this add up to a Most Improved Player award? If Robinson can keep up these numbers or close for the whole season, he’ll certainly get a mention, especially if the Pistons continue their winning pace.
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