Gobert, Green Lead 2015 NBA Most Improved Player Candidates

Gobert, Green Lead 2015 NBA Most Improved Player Candidates
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) yells after scoring against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Zachary Stieber
3/11/2015
Updated:
3/11/2015

The field for the NBA’s Most Improved Player has narrowed down due to injuries and regression.

Jimmy Butler, a leading candidate earlier in the 2014-15 season, first regressed then got injured. Shabazz Muhammad got injured. Some candidates predicted prior to the season, such as Bradley Beal and Andre Drummond, haven’t improved enough to warrant serious consideration.

On the other hand, several players have continued making strong cases for the MIP award, with strong showings since the All-Star break bolstering their breakout seasons.

Check out the leading candidates below.

Draymond Green 

Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love, left, tries to get past Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love, left, tries to get past Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green during an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the third quarter during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the third quarter during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbles during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbles during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) blocks New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) blocks New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Houston Rockets' Donatas Motiejunas, right, shoots over Golden State Warriors' Shaun Livingston and Marreese Speights (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Houston Rockets' Donatas Motiejunas, right, shoots over Golden State Warriors' Shaun Livingston and Marreese Speights (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)