Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic, once [presumably] hailed as Steve Nash’s heir-apparent, made great strides this year, leading his team to 48-34 record—a 23-game improvement from 2012-13, just missing the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
His play was markedly better, improving his scoring from a career average of 9.5 points to 20.3 this year. That’s an impressive amount of growth. His play earned him the NBA Most Improved Player Award.
Our own Chris Sheridan broke down Dragic’s performance and detailed why voted for him here.
The @Suns‘ @Goran_Dragic named 2013-14 @Kia NBA Most Improved Player! pic.twitter.com/JWsp6W3HJr
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2014
.@Suns PG Goran Dragic has been named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. See why in this #MAGraphic pic.twitter.com/NmpV0xH9ea
— ESPN The Magazine (@ESPNMag) April 23, 2014
A player whose hard work led the Suns to exceed all expectations. You earned it, @Goran_Dragic. #teamadidas pic.twitter.com/cIjQT3v6Bf
— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) April 23, 2014
There has been plenty of media coverage and reaction to Dragic’s Most Improved Player Award presentation.
Goran Dragic won Most Improved Player easily with 65 of 125 1st-place votes. The #Suns star had 408 points. Runner-up Lance Stephenson: 158. — Paul Coro (@paulcoro) April 23, 2014
Sports 360 AZ put together this short video for the momentous occasion.
A number of Dragic’s peers also reacted to his award.