If anyone doubts that the Atlanta Hawks are on the right track, all they have to do is check out the NBA's Most Improved Player list. For the second consecutive season, the Hawks are home to MIP, with guard Nickel-Alexander Walker receiving the honor this year.
It's certainly a well-deserved award, as Alexander-Walker saw a huge increase in his scoring average in his first year with the Hawks, from 9.4 points per game last season to 20.8 ppg.
Alexander-Walker wins Most Improved Player award after becoming key impact player for Hawks
The 27-year-old also posted career highs in minutes played (33.4 mpg), three-point shooting percentage (39.9%), free throw percentage (90.2%), assists (3.7), rebounds (3.4) and steals (1.3).
The typical 3-and-D guy is a tenacious perimeter defender, a 6’5″ combo guard who also serves as a secondary playmaker. He brings high intensity, energy and smart play on both ends of the field.
He edged out Portland's Denny Avdija and Detroit's Jalen Duren for the award.
Last season, Alexander-Walker's teammate Dyson Daniels won the MIP, making the Hawks the first team in NBA history to win the award in consecutive seasons.
"Nichille's dedication, continued work on his craft and his results this season make him incredibly deserving of this award," Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said. "He has a tireless work ethic and is focused on improving every aspect of his game. His game is constantly evolving, and his commitment and selfless attitude as a teammate has also had a positive impact on the team's success."
The Hawks finished the regular season at 46–36, in the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. In games in which Alexander-Walker started, he was 42–29.
