Randolph captures NBA award
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Randolph was disappointed when he didn't make the All-Star team. Winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award Thursday took some of that sting away.
Randolph, who became a starter this season and averaged double figures in points and rebounds, easily beat Cleveland Cavaliers forward Carlos Boozer in voting by sports writers and broadcasters with 59 first-place votes and 379 points.
"I wanted to be on the All-Star team but it feels good to win this award," Randolph said with a big smile.
Good numbers
Randolph averaged 20.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the revamped Blazers, who went 41-41 to finish 10th in the Western Conference, two spots out of the playoffs.
The 6-foot-9 forward had 43 double-doubles, tying him for fifth in the league. He had 20 or more points in 42 games, and 30 or more points in three games.
Last year, his second season in the NBA, Randolph averaged 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists.
Boozer got 12 first-place votes and 166 points, followed by Memphis Grizzlies forward James Posey with 17 first-place votes and 137 points.
Boozer averaged 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds this season. He teamed with rookie LeBron James to lead the Cavaliers to a 35-47 record after winning just 17 games a year ago.