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Jonathan Chen
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Disclaimer: I am trying something new with these power rankings. Rather than do them weekly, I'm going to be doing them every two weeks so there is a larger sample size for legitimate trends to develop.
Also just wanted to add that these throwback jerseys are just so clean. We need another NBA franchise in Canada!!!
Also just wanted to add that these throwback jerseys are just so clean. We need another NBA franchise in Canada!!!
1. Jamal Murray
Previous Rank: #1
I know what you're thinking. How can a guy who only scored 4 points in a game still be at the top of the power rankings. I'm willing to look past that poor game as it was clear Murray was still favouring the right ankle he hurt the game before against Minnesota.
Aside from that one game Murray's been excellent. Even in the game where he only scored 10 points, he found other ways to contribute with a 9 assists 6 steals and was a + 12 overall on the night!
Murray's great play is reflected in the advanced numbers. He's tied his career high of 1.8 in OBPM and is averaging a positive DBPM for the first time in career (he's at a respectable 0.7). He's also at a career best DRtg of 103.
I may sound like a broken record at this point, but Murray's focus and effort on the defensive end has really impressed me this year. This next play is just an example of this new found emphasis on defense. Murray is step for step with Ja Morant the whole time, jumps the passing lane on a lazy pass and takes it the other way for an easy two-handed flush. While it's not the most jaw dropping defensive play, it's the little things Murray's cleaned up that has made him a much more effective player overall.
Just an aside here. I've noticed that when he gets a big switched onto him, Murray loves to use this pump fake-up and under combo. It's really effective as the big man is always so preoccupied with Murray's ability to shoot that they bite on the pump fakes. From there Murray resorts to his floater and teardrop package to finish. He misses here on this play, but it's becoming a signature move of sorts for Murray
Here's him finishing this move in the playoffs last year.
I also want to highlight Murray's maturing decision making. Down the stretch against the Celtics, Murray had the ball in his hands on almost every possession. And with the way he performed, he definitely deserved it. On this play, Murray comes off the screen a little out of control. There's enough daylight for him to play hero ball and jack up a contested mid range jumper. But, Murray makes the better decision to hit his man wide open in the corner for three. Just real good stuff to see from Murray.
Then you have the clutch basket to seal the game for the Nuggets. The chemistry between Murray and Jokic has become unreal. It's a tough shot, but Murray's proven that he can hit this shot with the game on the line.
I know what you're thinking. How can a guy who only scored 4 points in a game still be at the top of the power rankings. I'm willing to look past that poor game as it was clear Murray was still favouring the right ankle he hurt the game before against Minnesota.
Aside from that one game Murray's been excellent. Even in the game where he only scored 10 points, he found other ways to contribute with a 9 assists 6 steals and was a + 12 overall on the night!
Murray's great play is reflected in the advanced numbers. He's tied his career high of 1.8 in OBPM and is averaging a positive DBPM for the first time in career (he's at a respectable 0.7). He's also at a career best DRtg of 103.
I may sound like a broken record at this point, but Murray's focus and effort on the defensive end has really impressed me this year. This next play is just an example of this new found emphasis on defense. Murray is step for step with Ja Morant the whole time, jumps the passing lane on a lazy pass and takes it the other way for an easy two-handed flush. While it's not the most jaw dropping defensive play, it's the little things Murray's cleaned up that has made him a much more effective player overall.
Just an aside here. I've noticed that when he gets a big switched onto him, Murray loves to use this pump fake-up and under combo. It's really effective as the big man is always so preoccupied with Murray's ability to shoot that they bite on the pump fakes. From there Murray resorts to his floater and teardrop package to finish. He misses here on this play, but it's becoming a signature move of sorts for Murray
Here's him finishing this move in the playoffs last year.
I also want to highlight Murray's maturing decision making. Down the stretch against the Celtics, Murray had the ball in his hands on almost every possession. And with the way he performed, he definitely deserved it. On this play, Murray comes off the screen a little out of control. There's enough daylight for him to play hero ball and jack up a contested mid range jumper. But, Murray makes the better decision to hit his man wide open in the corner for three. Just real good stuff to see from Murray.
Then you have the clutch basket to seal the game for the Nuggets. The chemistry between Murray and Jokic has become unreal. It's a tough shot, but Murray's proven that he can hit this shot with the game on the line.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Previous Rank: #3
Again, Shai has proven that his hot start to the season is an accurate reflection on who he's become as a player.
He's now averaging a solid 19.3 points per game after a couple rough games shooting the basketball. While his FG% overall and FT% are down from his rookie year, this small dip in percentage was to be expected. Very rarely in NBA history have players had a jump in usage and efficiency (think of a Siakam-like leap from last season). That being said he's still scorching from three as he is shooting 40.3% on nearly 4 attempts a game. Just the strides SGA has taken in terms of shooting the ball over the past year have impressed me a lot.
One play that caught my eye was this fast break score from Shai. We often see many players miss fast break layups nowadays because they are just driving out of control. Here Shai does the complete opposite. He uses his long strides to cover ground but not run too fast that he's out of control. Once he reads the defense, he takes the runner available to him rather than forcing a contact layup. Once again, Shai shows off his natural feel for the game and just his overall smoothness when he's on the court.
Again, Shai has proven that his hot start to the season is an accurate reflection on who he's become as a player.
He's now averaging a solid 19.3 points per game after a couple rough games shooting the basketball. While his FG% overall and FT% are down from his rookie year, this small dip in percentage was to be expected. Very rarely in NBA history have players had a jump in usage and efficiency (think of a Siakam-like leap from last season). That being said he's still scorching from three as he is shooting 40.3% on nearly 4 attempts a game. Just the strides SGA has taken in terms of shooting the ball over the past year have impressed me a lot.
One play that caught my eye was this fast break score from Shai. We often see many players miss fast break layups nowadays because they are just driving out of control. Here Shai does the complete opposite. He uses his long strides to cover ground but not run too fast that he's out of control. Once he reads the defense, he takes the runner available to him rather than forcing a contact layup. Once again, Shai shows off his natural feel for the game and just his overall smoothness when he's on the court.
3. Andrew Wiggins
Previous Rank: #4
Not much to say really for Wiggins. He was the talk of the NBA world after stringing together a couple of big time scoring performances. However, he missed the next 2 games to be with his family after the passing of his grandmother. Wiggins then went on to miss another game due to illness.
Upon return, Wiggins hasn't shot the ball extremely well. In the 2 games back he's shot 41.7 % and 42.8% from the field (Wiggins went 1-10 from three in one of these games).
That being said, for the first time in Andrew's career, he's actually a net positive in terms of advanced stats. He's currently at 0.3 in terms of VORP, 0.4 in terms of BPM, 0.2 in terms of Overall RAPTOR and 0.7 in terms of WAR. The Timberwolves are also a +11.8 in terms of ORtg when Wiggins is on the floor, which is even higher than KAT"s on/off differnce. It's good to see Wiggins begin to take the step in the right direction and it certainly shows in his advanced numbers.
As he eases back into his role rhythm, look for Wiggins to go on another tear.
Not much to say really for Wiggins. He was the talk of the NBA world after stringing together a couple of big time scoring performances. However, he missed the next 2 games to be with his family after the passing of his grandmother. Wiggins then went on to miss another game due to illness.
Upon return, Wiggins hasn't shot the ball extremely well. In the 2 games back he's shot 41.7 % and 42.8% from the field (Wiggins went 1-10 from three in one of these games).
That being said, for the first time in Andrew's career, he's actually a net positive in terms of advanced stats. He's currently at 0.3 in terms of VORP, 0.4 in terms of BPM, 0.2 in terms of Overall RAPTOR and 0.7 in terms of WAR. The Timberwolves are also a +11.8 in terms of ORtg when Wiggins is on the floor, which is even higher than KAT"s on/off differnce. It's good to see Wiggins begin to take the step in the right direction and it certainly shows in his advanced numbers.
As he eases back into his role rhythm, look for Wiggins to go on another tear.
4. Tristan Thompson
Previous Rank: #2
The fringe all-star level production was never going to be sustainable and yet I still feel disappointed after some of Thompson's games over the past two weeks (who would've though I would think this about Thompson's on court play this year?).
He's had a couple of games in the past two weeks where he hasn't hit double figures in scoring or in rebounding, which for the double-double machine Thompson has become, is kind of shocking.
That being said Thompson is still putting up some insane advanced numbers. In terms of Overall RAPTOR, Thompson is at a +3.7, putting him 26th in the whole legaue! The BPM is also a career high at a +2.7. One thing that is a little worrying is Thompson's ORB% and DRB% are down from last year and his TRB% has dropped nearly 4%.
I know everyone is making fun of this Shaqtin a fool moment from Thompson last week, but I was really impressed by Thompson's handle. One of the things Thompson's been showcasing this season is a good, tight handle for a big. The shot is just J.R. Smith ridiculous but I like what I see from Thompson handling the ball.
The fringe all-star level production was never going to be sustainable and yet I still feel disappointed after some of Thompson's games over the past two weeks (who would've though I would think this about Thompson's on court play this year?).
He's had a couple of games in the past two weeks where he hasn't hit double figures in scoring or in rebounding, which for the double-double machine Thompson has become, is kind of shocking.
That being said Thompson is still putting up some insane advanced numbers. In terms of Overall RAPTOR, Thompson is at a +3.7, putting him 26th in the whole legaue! The BPM is also a career high at a +2.7. One thing that is a little worrying is Thompson's ORB% and DRB% are down from last year and his TRB% has dropped nearly 4%.
I know everyone is making fun of this Shaqtin a fool moment from Thompson last week, but I was really impressed by Thompson's handle. One of the things Thompson's been showcasing this season is a good, tight handle for a big. The shot is just J.R. Smith ridiculous but I like what I see from Thompson handling the ball.
5. Brandon Clarke
Previous Rank: #5
I just want to say that I have fully joined the Brandon Clarke hype train. Back in college last year, Brandon Clarke was putting up insane advanced numbers and had one of the best college seasons ever in terms of PER. However, I thought he would struggle a bit as a rookie in the NBA. And man, was I wrong
Clarke's impact on games goes well beyond the traditional box score. I mean just look at this infographic from NBA Math.
Clarke's really separated himself from the rest of the rookie class in terms of TPA. He's just contributing more than any rookie and in a relatively low amount of minutes.
He's scored in double figures in all games except one over the past two weeks and he's getting more and more run in Memphis. I'm just excited to see how good Clarke can become as the season progresses.
I just want to say that I have fully joined the Brandon Clarke hype train. Back in college last year, Brandon Clarke was putting up insane advanced numbers and had one of the best college seasons ever in terms of PER. However, I thought he would struggle a bit as a rookie in the NBA. And man, was I wrong
Clarke's impact on games goes well beyond the traditional box score. I mean just look at this infographic from NBA Math.
Through games on Nov. 26, which #NBA rookies have done the most (or least) with their minutes during the 2019-20 season? pic.twitter.com/kzqRO3qszP— NBA Math (@NBA_Math) November 27, 2019
Clarke's really separated himself from the rest of the rookie class in terms of TPA. He's just contributing more than any rookie and in a relatively low amount of minutes.
He's scored in double figures in all games except one over the past two weeks and he's getting more and more run in Memphis. I'm just excited to see how good Clarke can become as the season progresses.
Honorable Mention: Chris Boucher
Slim Duck. Tre-Boucher. Call him want you want, but Chris Boucher is the latest player to come out of the Raptors 905 development system and make a big impact on the Raptors.
Chris Boucher has finally cracked the regular rotation for the Toronto Raptors and it could not have come at a better time. He's averaging an insane .213 WS/48 and a + 3.0 in BPM. Boucher and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson have been a huge spark for the Raptors off the bench and it seems all of a sudden the Raptors have a lot of depth again.
On the floor, Boucher is a unicorn of sorts. Very few players at his height are able to shoot the three and protect the rim like he does. Add in his freakish length and Boucher is able to do things on the court that very few players can. Boucher uses his length and athleticism to protect the rim on one end and then extend for the put back slam on the other. Just some freakish stuff.
This next clip is from the same game. Watch as Boucher uses his length again to cradle the ball to a point where even Mo Bamba (another freakishly long player) can't reach.
However, I do worry about his slender frame. Boucher is often falling to the ground after contact. Here on this drive, the intial bump from Len basically alters his whole driving angle. Boucher uses his long strides to make up for this but on the second bump, he falls to ground.
While he does make the bucket here, he's just getting knocked around and moved too easily. On the next play, he gets a highlight-worthy block on Harrell's dunk attempt. That being said check out his violent fall and tumble on the ground. Harrell's strength and momentum is just too much for Boucher to handle. It's these types of violent collisions and falls that are always making me anxious when Boucher contests shots at the rim.
On the floor, Boucher is a unicorn of sorts. Very few players at his height are able to shoot the three and protect the rim like he does. Add in his freakish length and Boucher is able to do things on the court that very few players can. Boucher uses his length and athleticism to protect the rim on one end and then extend for the put back slam on the other. Just some freakish stuff.
This next clip is from the same game. Watch as Boucher uses his length again to cradle the ball to a point where even Mo Bamba (another freakishly long player) can't reach.
However, I do worry about his slender frame. Boucher is often falling to the ground after contact. Here on this drive, the intial bump from Len basically alters his whole driving angle. Boucher uses his long strides to make up for this but on the second bump, he falls to ground.
While he does make the bucket here, he's just getting knocked around and moved too easily. On the next play, he gets a highlight-worthy block on Harrell's dunk attempt. That being said check out his violent fall and tumble on the ground. Harrell's strength and momentum is just too much for Boucher to handle. It's these types of violent collisions and falls that are always making me anxious when Boucher contests shots at the rim.
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