Danny Granger Wins Most Improved Player Award!!!

I never thought this would happen, neither would Danny Granger, either. Granger won The Most Improved Player of the Year Award, by averaging 25.8 points per game, a career-best. Granger accepted the award today at Conseco Fieldhouse, barely beating out New Jersey Nets', Devin Harris, by 364 votes 339. The voting was made from a panel of 121 journalists. While on vacation in Venice, Italy, that is how Granger found out about the award. "I can honestly say it really did come as a surprise," he said. "I really had it out of my mind for a while. I was on vacation, enjoying Italy, and all of a sudden, I'm winning the award." Granger was also honored before this award, as he was voted to the All-Star team by improving his scoring average by at least five points in each of his last three seasons. He averaged 7.5 as a rookie, 13.9 in his second year, 19.6 in 2007, and now 25.8 this year. His 25.8 points was ranked fifth in the NBA. "I think in my fourth year, I just had the experience of playing a lot of minutes," he said. "I could read defenses a lot better. I could get my shot a lot easier than what I had in the past. I think I just thought my way through the game a little more than I had previously." Granger has also been asked to participate for the USA Basketball team training camp this summer, the first phase for selecting the squad of the 2012 Olympics team in London. Tuesday, he accepted the offer. Granger played his best in January. He averaged 34.7 points per game during the six-game span against Western Conference teams. That stretch began on the third and during that time, he made a game-winning three-pointer over two-time MVP, Steve Nash, in a 113-110 win. A week later, he made a game-tying jumper, but later to beat the Pistons in overtime. He made another exciting shot on the 19th as he made a game-tying three but later to get upped by Chris Paul at the buzzer. Granger missed 11 games this season and improved after his return, averaging 28.4 points per game in his last 15 games. Now all Granger needs to do is win a MVP award next year! Here are some history information and stats on this award, thanks to NBA.com: 2008-2009 Season Voting on MIP Award Player Team 1st 2nd 3rd Pts Danny Granger Indiana 48 37 13 364 Devin Harris New Jersey 43 35 19 339 Kevin Durant Oklahoma City 6 14 11 83 Paul Millsap Utah 3 13 23 77 Nen Denver 7 5 8 58 Rajon Rondo Boston 2 5 4 29 David Lee New York 1 3 11 25 John Salmons Chicago 2 2 1 17 Thaddeus Young Philadelphia 1 2 5 16 Von Wafer Houston 2 - 2 12 Brandon Roy Portland 1 1 - 8 Chris Andersen Denver 1 - 1 6 J.R. Smith Denver 1 - 1 6 Glen Davis Boston 1 - - 5 Jason Terry Dallas 1 - - 5 Wilson Chandler New York 1 - - 5 Aaron Brooks Houston - 1 1 4 Jameer Nelson Orlando - 1 1 4 Kelenna Azubuike Golden State - - 3 3 Dwyane Wade Miami - 1 - 3 LaMarcus Aldridge Portland - 1 - 3 Roger Mason San Antonio - - 3 3 Luis Scola Houston - - 2 2 Ronnie Brewer Utah - - 2 2 Kendrick Perkins Boston - - 1 1 Emeka Okafor Charlotte - - 1 1 Gerald Wallace Charlotte - - 1 1 Tyrus Thomas Chicago - - 1 1 Mo Williams Cleveland - - 1 1 J.J. Barea Dallas - - 1 1 Mike Conley Memphis - - 1 1 Rasual Butler New Orleans - - 1 1 Andrea Bargnani Toronto - - 1 1 Jeff Green Oklahoma City - - 1 1 All-Time Roster of Players to Win the Award 1985-86 Alvin Robertson, San Antonio 1986-87 Dale Ellis, Seattle 1987-88 Kevin Duckworth, Portland 1988-89 Kevin Johnson, Phoenix 1989-90 Rony Seikaly, Miami 1990-91 Scott Skiles, Orlando 1991-92 Pervis Ellison, Washington 1992-93 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Denver 1993-94 Don MacLean, Washington 1994-95 Dana Barros, Philadelphia 1995-96 Gheorghe Muresan, Washington 1996-97 Isaac Austin, Miami 1997-98 Alan Henderson, Atlanta 1998-99 Darrell Armstrong, Orlando 1999-00 Jalen Rose, Indiana 2000-01 Tracy McGrady, Orlando 2001-02 Jermaine ONeal, Indiana 2002-03 Gilbert Arenas, Golden State 2003-04 Zach Randolph, Portland 2004-05 Bobby Simmons, L.A. Clippers 2005-06 Boris Diaw, Phoenix 2006-07 Monta Ellis, Golden State 2007-08 Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando 2008-09 Danny Granger, Indiana