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Clippers forward Bobby Simmons has been named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2004-05 season, the National Basketball Association announced today. The annual award is presented to a player who has made a dramatic improvement from the previous season or seasons.
Simmons is the first Clipper to be honored with the Most Improved Player award since it was presented following the 1985-86 season when Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs was presented with the award.
Simmons received a total of 384 points, including 59 first-pace votes, from a panel of 123 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Miami’s Dwyane Wade finished second with 129 points (15 first-place votes) followed by Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince with 107 points (14 first-place votes). Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third place vote received.
In his second season with the Clippers, Simmons averaged career-highs of 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 37.3 minutes in 75 games played (74 starts). He also proved himself to be one of the most reliable outside shooters in the league, notching career bests in field goal percentage (.466) and three-point field goal percentage (.435) on the season. All in all, Simmons increased his career averages entering this season by +10.9 points, +2.7 rebounds, +.61 assists and +20.1 minutes per game.
“This is a well deserved honor for Bobby,” stated Clippers’ Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor. “He worked hard during the offseason to improve his skills and the results were obvious.”
Simmons led the Clippers in three-point field goal percentage (.435) and minutes per game (37.3) in addition to being the team’s third leading scorer at 16.4 points per game. He recorded 23 games of 20 points or more as well as two 30 point games, tallying career-highs in virtually every statistical category on the year. Simmons also had 10 games with 10 or more rebounds and 10 points/rebound double-doubles during the season.
“Everyone in the Clippers organization is very happy and excited for Bobby and proud of what he has accomplished this season,” said Clippers’ Head Coach Mike Dunleavy. “The award is a testament to all of the hard work and effort Bobby has put in to improve his overall game.”
A four-year NBA veteran, Simmons now holds career averages of 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 24.9 minutes per game. Simmons was originally drafted out of DePaul in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Seattle Sonics, before having his draft rights traded to the Washington Wizards. The Clippers signed Simmons as a free agent prior to the start of the 2003-04 season. |
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