Golden State’s midseason awards

Most Improved Player – JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee and Ian Clark’s awards could be switched and I’d be content. This was a coin flip because they both deserve to be recognized and have done so in each other’s categories. But the Golden State Warriors supreme Most Improved Player is McGee.

Largely thanks to Shaquille O’Neal, McGee has become a punch line. He was the butt of all of Shaq’s jokes and a target for fans to pick on. He was a laughingstock.

The Warriors didn’t have a lot of money to spend and they needed size so they took a chance on the big man. It has absolutely paid off. McGee is legit.

The center is averaging 6.2 points and 3 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 67.8 percent from the field because he’s done a great job of finishing off lobs. He’s given the Warriors an unexpected and surely welcome boost.

McGee is Zaza Pachulia’s backup, but has started while the Georgian-native sits out with injury. In 10 games as the starter, McGee is playing 16.4 minutes while scoring 9.8 points and grabbing 5.2 rebounds. He’s been ready.

Steve Kerr and the Warriors have turned McGee into a viable option. He’s still terrible defensively, but his offense is so good it doesn’t matter. His athleticism and vertical allow him to run with the Warriors’ starters effortlessly. He gives them an extra dynamic that no other big on the roster can.

McGee looked unplayable before. He was just this guy who could jump high, but wasn’t ever useful;. The Warriors found a use for him and, in his new role, has thrived.

He’s been efficient and he’s one of the top guys in plus-minus, surprisingly. While Pachulia should be the starter, McGee givesCurry and co. an incredible weapon with his runs to the rim. He can be really solid in the right lineups.

McGee has transformed from a joke to a solid role player. That’s more than worthy for Most Improved Player.