Tyler Zeller’s strides this season did not go unnoticed — so much so that one person dubbed him the most improved player in the entire NBA.
The third-year center for the Boston Celtics finished 10th in the voting for the NBA Most Improved Player Award, but that wasn’t the surprising part. Rather, it was noteworthy that Zeller was one of nine players to receive a first-place vote.
According to Ben Rohrbach of WEEI.com and Yahoo Sports, the vote came from CSNNE broadcaster Tom Heinsohn. (It was the only vote Zeller received.)
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Zeller nearly doubled his scoring production this season, upping his average to 10.2 points per game from 5.7 points per game last season. He posted a .549 field-goal percentage, fifth-highest in the NBA, with a career high 18.9 player efficiency rating.
Zeller’s early success was attributed to pairing him with Rajon Rondo in the pick and roll, but the North Carolina product kept producing even after Rondo was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. After Rondo was traded in late December, Zeller averaged 10.5 points per game from January on.
Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler won the most improved award, drawing 92 first-place votes and 535 voting points. Zeller ultimately tied Atlanta Hawks guard DeMarre Carroll for 10th place, with five points each.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
