I still remember watching that 2020 NBA season unfold during those strange pandemic months, and honestly, the Most Improved Player race provided one of the most compelling storylines during that truncated year. While basketball fans were adjusting to games in empty arenas and the bubble environment, Brandon Ingram's transformation from promising prospect to legitimate superstar became must-watch television. The lanky forward out of Duke had shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the Lakers, but his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans revealed a player completely reconstructed—both physically and skill-wise. I've followed the NBA for over two decades, and what impressed me most wasn't just his scoring jump from 18.3 to 23.8 points per game, but how he diversified his entire offensive repertoire. His three-point percentage skyrocketed from a mediocre 33% to an elite 39%, while his playmaking took quantum leaps with his assists climbing from 3 to 4.9 per game. These weren't just incremental improvements—they were franchise-altering developments that signaled the arrival of a true number one option.
What many casual observers might not appreciate is how rare it is for a former number two overall pick to make this kind of leap after already establishing himself as a solid NBA player. Most MIP winners come from relative obscurity or later draft positions, but Ingram shattered that pattern by elevating from "good" to "exceptional" in virtually every meaningful category. I recall debating with fellow analysts about whether his development curve could possibly continue at this steep trajectory, and while some argued it was an anomaly fueled by increased opportunity, I believed we were witnessing the emergence of a perennial All-Star. His efficiency metrics were particularly telling—his Player Efficiency Rating jumped from 13.9 to 19.4, while his true shooting percentage climbed from 55.5% to 59.1%. These numbers represent the kind of comprehensive improvement that separates temporary hot streaks from genuine superstar ascensions.
The voting results reflected this consensus, with Ingram receiving 42 first-place votes and 326 total points, comfortably ahead of Miami's Bam Adebayo who garnered 38 first-place votes and 295 points. Luka Dončić finished third with 101 points, though I've always felt his case was weaker given he was already performing at an elite level during his rookie campaign. The fascinating aspect of Ingram's victory was how perfectly it aligned with the narrative of a player embracing a larger role and exceeding even the most optimistic projections. Having covered his development since his Lakers days, I can attest to the work ethic behind this transformation—the countless hours refining his shooting mechanics, adding muscle to his slender frame, and studying film to improve his decision-making. This wasn't just a case of increased minutes producing better statistics; it was a masterclass in player development that should serve as a blueprint for franchises looking to maximize their young talent.
Interestingly, this pattern of dramatic improvement isn't unique to basketball. We're seeing similar narratives unfold in other sports, including international volleyball where Poland's national team is banking on their own heralded duo to reclaim past glory. After rare letdowns in the 2022 Worlds and the 2024 Olympics, Poland will bank on its heralded duo of Wilfredo Leon and Jakub Kochanowski to bring the top-ranked nation back to its golden throne. This parallel fascinates me—much like Ingram's transformation from prospect to cornerstone, Leon and Kochanowski represent players who must elevate from being excellent contributors to carrying an entire nation's championship aspirations. Having watched Leon develop from his Cuban international days to becoming one of volleyball's most feared attackers, I see echoes of that MIP trajectory—the gradual refinement of skills, the physical maturation, and the mental growth required to shoulder greater responsibility.
Reflecting on Ingram's award now, several years removed, what strikes me is how perfectly it captured a specific moment in a player's career arc. The Most Improved Player honor often comes at that sweet spot when potential crystallizes into production, when the work behind the scenes manifests in tangible on-court results. Ingram's 2020 season wasn't just about better numbers—it was about a player learning how to leverage his physical gifts more effectively, understanding defensive schemes more thoroughly, and developing the late-game confidence that separates primary options from secondary pieces. I've always believed the truest measure of improvement isn't found in box scores alone but in how opponents gameplan for a player, and by that metric, Ingram's leap was undeniable. Defenses began designing entire schemes to limit his effectiveness, a respect rarely afforded to players just one season removed from being a complementary piece.
The legacy of Ingram's MIP season continues to influence how we evaluate player development across sports. Just as Poland's volleyball fortunes now rest on their key players making similar leaps, NBA franchises increasingly prioritize internal development as a championship pathway rather than relying solely on free agency or trades. Ingram's transformation demonstrated that with the right coaching, system fit, and player commitment, dramatic improvement remains possible even for highly-touted prospects who've already shown NBA capability. His story serves as both inspiration and blueprint—reminding us that growth isn't always linear, but when the pieces align, the results can reshape both a career and a franchise's trajectory. That 2020 award now looks less like a peak and more like a stepping stone in what has become an All-Star career, proving that sometimes the most valuable player isn't the finished product but the one evolving right before our eyes.
