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The Los Angeles Lakers are a team on a mission this season.
After finishing last season as the No. 7 seed and heading into the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Lakers hired JJ Redick as head coach to replace Darvin Ham.
The move has worked out swimmingly.
Instead of having to participate in the Play-In Tournament, the Lakers currently sit as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
JJ Redick criticizes Most Improved Player award
While many would point to Luka Doncic's late play as the driving force, one could argue that Austin Reaves really puts the Lakers over the top.
Having a player with his skillset who can play both off and on the ball and pick his spots has been essential.
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Reaves is currently a long shot for the Most Improved Player award behind Atlanta's Dyson Daniels and Detroit's Cade Cunningham.
When asked if Reaves should be considered more heavily, Lakers head coach JJ Redick voiced his disdain for the award.
"I hate that award because they’ve failed to define it. The spirit of it has been taken out of whack," Redick said. "Just call it the high draft pick who’s on a max contract and now is an All-Star. Just call it that award. Who’s that guy? Because that’s what it’s become.”
JJ Redick on MIP: “I hate that award because they’ve failed to define it. The spirit of it has been taken out of whack. Just call it the high draft pick who’s on a max contract and now is an All-Star. Just call it that award. Who’s that guy? Because that’s what it’s become.” pic.twitter.com/jqP4bZQ1ON
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) April 3, 2025Regarding this season's race for the award, he was likely talking about Cunningham, as he was selected No. 1 overall by the Pistons in 2021.
Reaves' scoring is up from 15.9 points per game last season to 19.9 this season. Cunningham's scoring has increased as well, going from 22.7 to 25.7.
The difference between the two is that Cunningham has the keys to the offense every night, highlighted by the fact that Cunningham's 32.9 usage rate is the third-highest in the NBA. Reaves' usage rate is 23.7.
While Redick likely would've been happy for Reaves to receive the honors, it's the Larry O'Brien trophy he'd rather see Reaves holding at season's end.
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