Most Improved Player Rankings: Week 21

RANK	PLAYER	RUNDOWN	LAST
1		JRUE HOLIDAY, G, PHILADELPHIA: No matter how hard you try to deny it, the Jruth will eventually come out. He cannot be ignored after going for 18 points, 15 assists and six boards as Philly almost beat Denver and 21, 10 boards and 7 dimes as the 76ers ended a 15-game road slide in Sacramento.	4
2		PAUL GEORGE, F, INDIANA: Holiday overtook George in the rankings because his numbers are becoming impossible to overlook. Both All-Stars had to step up in the absence of their team’s former alpha dog, but Holiday’s numbers were slightly better. George missed two potential tying shots in Chicago.	1
3		NIKOLA VUCEVIC, C, ORLANDO: The Vucevator had a fifth straight game of double-digit rebounds before missing three in a row due to a concussion. In today’s sports culture, that’s a loaded word. Here’s hoping that he returns to action soon and has a strong finish to the season.	2
4		OMER ASIK, C, HOUSTON: Asik has recorded double figures in rebounding in 13 of his last 14 games and is averaging 13.5 rebounds per game over that span. That’s just absurd. In keeping with the spirit of our tourney, could have a head-to-head showdown with Vucevic next week.	–
5		GREIVIS VASQUEZ, G, NEW ORLEANS: His assist numbers have declined this month but still ranks third at 9.3 per game. No one is going to confuse Vasquez with Chris Paul, but his 2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio is still pretty solid. Missed a game Monday for the first time since 2010-11 rookie season.	3

DROPOUTS: Martell Webster, G, Washington (5).

FIVE TO WATCH: Larry Sanders, F, Milwaukee; Chandler Parsons, F, Houston; J.J. Hickson, F, Portland; Martell Webster, G, Washington; Jordan Crawford, G, Boston.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Most Improved | MVP | Rookie | Heisler’s Power Rankings | Sixth Man | Free Agents

Kels Dayton is a freelance writer whose work has also appeared in SLAM Magazine. You can check out more of his work at RoundballDaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @RoundballDaily.