Bulls' Giddey's post-All-Star breakout validated by Most Improved Player vote

Nothing screams mouthwatering future potential like having a starter earn a Rookie of the Year vote and another starter, Most Improved Player votes. The Chicago Bulls were one of three teams to see two players land on both ballots.

11th-overall pick Matas Buzelis finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in only 18.9 minutes per game. Buzelis' impressive second half to his rookie campaign assuredly earned him a Rookie of the Year vote and should land him on the All-Rookie Second Team.

Josh Giddey received a first-place vote for the Most Improved Player Award

After seeing Coby White finish second in Most Improved Player voting a season ago, Chicago's Josh Giddey finished in 10th place. The 6-foot-8 guard earned a first-place, two second-place, and two third-place votes for a total of 13 points. Giddey finished immediately ahead of Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard and one spot below first-time All-Star Tyler Herro.

Despite only minor increases in counting stats, voters recognized Giddey's all-around development. The Aussie's true shooting and three-point shooting percentages were the best of his career. Following years of lackluster three-point efficiency, Giddey transformed into a 37.8 marksman who launched 4.0 triples per game.

Although Giddey averaged the second-most points of his career, 14.6, he had never recorded better rebounding or assist numbers prior to this season. The fourth-year pro grabbed 8.1 boards and dished out 7.2 assists per game. His well-rounded game yielded a career-high seven triple-doubles.

Still, Giddey's terrific post-All-Star break campaign likely moved voters more than anything else. The former sixth-overall pick's first couple of months' statistics were on par with his previous campaigns. However, his scoring numbers were even worse. Giddey averaged only 12.2 points before the All-Star break.

Following the All-Star game, a flip was switched. Giddey's performed at a near-All-Star level. He averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists while swishing 50.0 percent of his field goals, including 45.7 percent of his three-pointers. Giddey's net rating increased from negative-6.5 to 10.4 following the midseason festivities.

Not long ago, Chicago was heavily ridiculed for shipping two-time All-NBA Defender Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City in exchange for Giddey. The Bulls had just sent an invaluable asset to a team with a never-ending supply of draft picks, only to receive a player recently benched in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Almost a year after the trade, Giddey received Most Improved Player votes and is nearing a massive pay increase. Chicago's faith in Giddey paid off, even if early results were less than stellar; the latter half of the season made up for a slow start, and the voters validated Giddey's ascension.