Hedo Turkoglu was named the NBA’s most-improved player for the 2007-08 season. The Turkish superstar averaged career-bests in points (19.5), rebounds (5.7), assists (5.0) and a career-high 45.7% from the field.

And despite bigger names in Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, it became apparent throughout the season that Turkoglu was Orlando’s guy at the end of close games with his ability to create his own shot and make the right pass.

Hidayet “Hedo” Turkoglu had his best and most successful season in the NBA since his Sacramento heydays. After Sacramento, Turkoglu spent a year in San Antonio before ending up in Orlando at the start of the 2004-05 season. Hedo’s been putting up decent numbers since joining the Magic, but not really opening any eyes until this season.

Perhaps the highlight of his season was Hedo’s game-winning shot against the league’s best team. Back on January 27th, with the game tied, Hedo knocked down a step-back three at the buzzer to defeat the Boston Celtics 96-93. Hedo ended up the game with 27 points.

This season also saw the 6-10 forward’s first and second career triple doubles. Hedo’s first was in a loss against the Dallas Mavericks in which he tallied 13 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists. His second coming in a winning effort against Atlanta (23 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists).

Turkoglu also earned two Eastern Conference Player of the Week nods (for the weeks of Jan. 27 and Feb. 3), and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for April.

Hedo won by quite a large margin, garnering 213 more points than the next runner up (Rudy Gay 167, LaMarcus Aldridge 128, and Al Jefferson 100). The voters clearly believed that not only did Turkoglu elevated his game statistically, but with his ability to lead. Interbasket congratulates and gives big respects to Hedo Turkoglu.

Note: It’s nice to see the improved player award go to players that showed complete improvement and have been in the league more than a year or two. Too many times this award has went to a player that saw significant increases in minutes (which usually means better stats) or to a second year player that is expected to improve on thehuge learning curve that is their rookie year. Most of the time, those scenarios are synonymous. I’d like to see them implement a rule where this award can only go to players that have been in the league for at least three years, then it would be given to a player that has clearly improved their game.

Sources: Hedo Turkoglu wins NBA’s Most Improved Player Award (NBA.com), Discuss Hedo’s Most Improved Award for the 2007-08 NBA season (Ibn Forum), Turkoglu’s last-second 3 lifts Magic to 96-93 victory over Celtics (Yahoo), Video of Hedo Turkoglu’s game-winning shot against the Boston Celtics (YouTube)