IN BRIEF : Suns’ Johnson ‘Most Improved’

Phoenix Suns guard Kevin Johnson, who more than doubled his point and assist totals in overcoming the sophomore jinx, was named winner of the NBA Most Improved Player Award today.

Johnson received 48 votes of the 85 cast by a nationwide panel of NBA media members, far outdistancing runners-up Reggie Lewis of Boston (14 votes) and Chris Mullin of Golden State (12 votes).

Johnson, 23, was obtained last year from Cleveland in the Larry Nance deal. As a rookie, Johnson averaged 9.2 points and 5.5 assists per game. This season, his figures increased to 20.4 points and 12.2 assists.