In-Season All-Improved Team

Darren Collison makes John Hollinger’s In-Season All-Improved team over at ESPN.com, with the following commentary:

The diminutive rookie for the Hornets wasn’t expected to play much behind Chris Paul, but he’s blown up with CP3 out of the lineup. The water bug from UCLA exploded for 21.6 points, 8.3 assists and 49.6 percent shooting in February, using his superior quickness and open-court speed to offset his small stature and shaky 3-point shot.

Although Collison has struggled with turnovers — his triple-double against Indiana nearly became a quad thanks to eight miscues — his electric performance already has observers wondering whether the Hornets should trade him to get more help at other positions. Paul’s eventual return will move Collison to a backup role, and it’s unlikely the two can coexist in the same backcourt.