Familiar Names Highlight Most Improved Player Rankings

RANK	PLAYER	RUNDOWN	LAST
1		ERIC BLEDSOE, G, PHOENIX: Should you lose the top spot when you get hurt? Nah, we can’t ‘Wally Pipp’ Bledsoe just yet. He is out for at least a week with a knee injury but still the most improved player leading the most improved team, averaging 18 and 6 for the season.	1
2		ISAIAH THOMAS, G, SACRAMENTO: The Namesake has gone off since Rudy Gay was acquired Dec. 16, averaging 20 points and 8 dimes. The Kings have shown signs of life, too, knocking off the Heat and Rockets and playing the Spurs tough before home losses to Charlotte and Philly.	4
3		ANDRE DRUMMOND, C, DETROIT: The Pistons are an all-out disgrace, but Drummond remains a bright spot. He ranks second in the NBA in shooting (61.2%) and fourth in double-doubles (24). He is also 10th in blocks (1.6) and first in Pistons players who actually give a crap.	3
4		KHRIS MIDDLETON, F, MILWAUKEE: Middleton drops after a three-pack of awful games with 14 points combined on 5-of-18 shooting. It’s like management finally brought him in for a meeting about “expectations.” The Bucks also are finally getting healthier, so maybe it’s not unexpected.	2
5		REGGIE JACKSON, G, OKLAHOMA CITY: His 27 points Sunday vs. Boston vaults him into the top five. He’s not just here due to more minutes, either. Per 36 minutes, Jackson is averaging 18 points, 6 boards and 5 assists. How’s that for Splenda?	–

DROPOUTS: Miles Plumlee, C, Phoenix (5).

NEXT FIVE: Anthony Davis, F-C, New Orleans; Jeremy Lamb, G, Oklahoma City; Marcus/Markieff Morris, Fs, Phoenix; Tony Wroten, G, Philadelphia; Arron Afflalo, G, Orlando.

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 and SportzEdge.com. Follow him on Twitter @RoundballDaily.