Ups And Downs

Could Kobe Bryant not only win the NBA's Sixth Man Award but
also be named the league's Most Improved Player? Through the
All-Star break, his scoring average had increased more than that
of any player who appeared in at least 50 games last season and
25 this season. Here are the players running the furthest ahead
of--and the furthest behind--last year's pace.

--David Sabino

Scoring

BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT (PPG) 1996-97 1997-98 DIFFERENCE
Kobe Bryant, Lakers 7.6 17.9 +10.3
John Wallace, Raptors 4.8 13.6 +8.8
Donyell Marshall, Warriors 7.3 15.2 +7.9
Steve Nash, Suns 3.3 10.7 +7.4
Brent Barry, Clippers 7.5 14.6 +7.1

BIGGEST DECLINE
LaPhonso Ellis, Nuggets 21.9 12.8 -9.1
Kendall Gill, Nets 21.8 14.2 -7.6
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Kings 13.7 7.3 -6.4
Terry Mills, Heat 10.8 4.7 -6.1
Danny Ferry, Cavaliers 10.6 4.7 -5.9

Rebounding

BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT (RPG)
Donyell Marshall, Warriors 4.5 8.9 +4.4
Erick Dampier, Warriors 4.1 8.5 +4.4
Lorenzen Wright, Clippers 6.1 9.0 +2.9
Robert Horry, Lakers 4.4 7.2 +2.8
Cherokee Parks, Timberwolves 2.6 5.4 +2.8

BIGGEST DECLINE
Hot Rod Williams, Suns 8.3 4.1 -4.2
Will Perdue, Spurs 9.8 6.0 -3.8
Tony Massenburg, Grizzlies 6.5 2.8 -3.7
Ervin Johnson, Bucks 11.1 7.7 -3.4
Scott Williams, 76ers 6.4 3.2 -3.2

Assists

BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT (APG)
Sam Cassell, Nets 5.0 7.9 +2.9
Darrell Armstrong, Magic 2.6 4.9 +2.3
Bimbo Coles, Warriors 2.9 4.9 +2.0
Howard Eisley, Jazz 2.4 4.4 +2.0
Otis Thorpe, Grizzlies 1.7 3.5 +1.8

BIGGEST DECLINE
Greg Anthony, Sonics 6.3 2.6 -3.7
Muggsy Bogues, Hornets/Warriors 7.2 4.4 -2.8
Mark Jackson, Pacers 11.4 8.8 -2.6
Derek Harper, Magic 4.3 2.1 -2.2
Chris Childs, Knicks 6.1 4.0 -2.1