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We’ve talked about Devonte’ Graham’s credentials for Most Improved Player numerous times on this site. Apparently the NBA voters disagree, because Graham didn’t even make the top three.
The fact that @Devonte4Graham isn't even a finalist for MIP is a travesty. https://t.co/a6glW1D7vf
— At The Hive (@At_The_Hive) August 8, 2020
Search ‘Graham MIP’ on Twitter and you’ll find near universal disdain for Graham’s exclusion. There are too many Tweets to post all of them, but here’s a small sample:
Devonte Graham not being a finailist for MIP makes absolutely no sense. Devonte is exactly what a candidate for MIP looks like.
— El Presidente of Griselda Records (@el_budget) August 8, 2020
MIP is the lamest award and probably shouldn’t even exist but Devonte’ Graham went from hardly an NBA player to a good one. These guys went from good to more good. Shouldn’t really be a debate let alone him not being a candidate https://t.co/lrbqUhdZyv
— Bootum (@DaRealBootum) August 8, 2020
me going to the house of whoever picks the awards finalists to have a little talk about having devonte graham on the mip ballot pic.twitter.com/bf0ezjo4if
— The House That Kami Built (@TheTenthComing) August 8, 2020
Soooo Devonte Graham isn’t even a FINALIST for MIP???? @Devonte4Graham
— Overtime (@overtime) August 8, 2020
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/5yJs7wtlyE
Devonte' Graham deserved way more noise for MIP consideration.
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) August 9, 2020
(via @balldontstop)pic.twitter.com/1wp7Wl27YL
Twitter eggs aren’t the only ones that have a problem with the Charlotte Hornets guard being snubbed from the finalist list for Most Improved Player. Former Heat guard Dwyane Wade took to Instagram to voice his confusion.
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But perhaps the most telling comment came from one of the actual finalists. After leading the Mavericks to an overtime win over the Bucks, Luka Doncic was asked about his thoughts on being named a finalist for Most Improved Player.
Luka to me on MIP voting: “Who votes in this?”
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) August 9, 2020
Me: “Well, 100 of us, including me.”@luka7doncic: “Take me off the list and put @Devonte4Graham on there. I don’t deserve to be on there.”
We agree Luka.
Regardless of who NBA writers vote to win the award, I think most fans and players know who the NBA’s actual most improved player was.