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NBA Canadian Player Power Rankings: Week #7

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Highlight Performance: Olynyk dropped 15 points and a career high 16 rebounds in a win over the Hornets. He also became the third Canadian to hit 500 career three pointers joining Steve Nash and Rick Fox.

1. Jamal Murray

Previous Rank: #1

Jamal Murray has continued to play well over the last two weeks and is cementing himself as the best Canadian in the NBA.

While I would like to see Murray's scoring become more consistent over the next few weeks, he's currently leading the Nuggets in points per game at 18.2. And then there was this play against the Nets on Sunday night that was just so smooth. Murray's always been adept at scoring off-balanced jumpers and floaters and it's really one of the best parts of his game.



And I continue to be impressed with Murray's playmaking this year. His AST% is still at a career high 23.2%. Check out this pick and roll sequence with Jokic. I love how far Murray pushes the ball in front of him when he knows he has space. Really stretches the defense out and allows him to cover so much ground. Then check out this pass in tight quarters. Just out of the reach of Dinwiddie and placed perfectly on Jokic's role. Just some real impressive improvement from Murray.


So far in these power rankings I've been constantly highlight Murray's improvements as a defender this year. There's been countless clips of Murray actually putting in effort to fight through screens and jump passing lanes this year. And Murray's development as a defender is reflected in the advanced numbers.

This year his overall Off. RAPTOR is at +1.2. However, his overall Def. RAPTOR is at a + 2.2! It's really great to see Murray, whose known as an offensive player, to actually be more effective on the defensive end. His RAPTOR numbers rates him as a + offensive and + defensive player this season. He's also leading the team in steals with an average of 1.5 steals per game. Murray's development overall is really exciting to see as he becomes the leader of Canada basketball. 

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Previous Rank: #2

Shai experienced his first real slump of the season in the past two weeks. He had three games where he just barely got into double figures scoring and he shot a combined 37% from the field. It looked like maybe Shai was beginning to regress to the mean after his blistering start to the year.

However, in his past 5 games, SGA has really picked up his play and showed that his good play from earlier in the season is who he truly is now. He really shined in OKC's big win over the Timberwolves where he scored 29 points on 61.5% shooting from the field and a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line. Not to mention Shai was a +9 in that game.

I love this action from Shai here. He's become cerebral operating out of the pick and roll this season (might have something to do with learning from Chris Paul). From this angle it's hard to tell whether its his lookoff or his in an out dribble that gets Towns out of position but either way the small hesitation move Shai does is just so effective. Also check out this gorgeous extension on the reverse layup.


While I love the punch Shai's been bringing to the Thunder offense this year, his defense has slipped a bit. He's currently at a -1.7 Overall Def RAPTOR and a -0.8 DBPM. Some of this may be due to an increase in his offensive responsibilities but it may be a storyline to watch as the season progresses. 

3. Andrew Wiggins

Previous Rank: #3
He's no longer scorching from the field but it's encouraging that Wiggins has not relapsed to his disappointing play from previous seasons. 

The scoring and aggressiveness is still there for Wiggins. He has not attempted less than 15 shots in any game over the past two weeks and he's even had double digit trips to the free throw line in 2 games. While his efficiency has dropped over the past few games, it's just encouraging to see him stay in attack mode over a long period of time.

Check out this play from Wiggins. Great job to adjust and not accept the screen and barrel into a triple team. In year's past this made have ended in a turnaround or step back mid-range jumper but it's clear Wiggins is determined to get to the rim this year. When he goes downhill, there's very few people who can keep up with him and he earns a trip to the free throw line.


Wiggins's offensive impact has been huge for the Timberwolves this season. He's been their go to guy along with Towns and he no longer shies away from the ball and hides in the corner. When he's on the court the Wolves offense is humming and has a ORtg of 114.2, good for second in the league. Take him off the court and the ORtg plummets to 102.6, which would put them second last in the NBA (only ahead of the lowly Knicks). He's currently at a +3.0 in terms of overall Off RAPTOR.

On defense though, Wiggins is still struggling. He's at a -2.3 in terms of overall Def RAPTOR. That being said this is the first time in his career that he's a net positive player in the eyes of advanced numbers. It's clear Wiggins has taken small steps this season . 

4. Tristan Thompson

Previous Rank: #4

Thompson continues his productive year. Like always the rebounding has been a consistent part of Thompson's game. He had a string of 4 straight games with 10+ rebounds and 3 straight double doubles.

On the defensive end Thompson continues to excel. He's currently at a + 3.4 in terms of overall Def RAPTOR and a career high +2.3 in DBPM. I think this play really highlights Thompson's versatility on the defensive end. He first helps and contains Kennard's dribble penetration and then switches and contests Blake Griffin's shot attempt. It looks like he goes straight up here but ends up getting called for a foul nonetheless. 


Also Thompson became the first Canadian in the NBA to hit 5000 rebounds.



5. Kelly Olynyk

Previous Rank: Unranked

Kelly's had a rough start to the season this year after a lingering knee injury he sustained in an exhibition game for Team Canada over the summer. That being said he's beginning to round into form and has picked up his play.

Over the last two weeks, he's scored in double figures in 6 out of the last 8 games. That's really encouraging as his scoring had dipped earlier in the season. Although Olynyk's been moved to the bench this season, his minutes have actually increased compared to last year. In addition, Olynyk's shooting numbers are looking better. He's shooting a respectable 46.4% from the field (which is up 0.1% from last season) but his eFG% has skyrocketed to 58.9% (compared to 56.3% last season). What's really been impressive is his 42.7% 3P% and 87.9% FT%. While I don't think he will get to a 50-40-90 season, he's hovering in that range in terms of shooting efficiency.

Another encouraging thing is Kelly's defense this season. He's at a +1.3 in terms of DBPM and a +0.2 interms of overall Def Raptor. According to the RAPTOR advanced stat, Olynyk rates as a + offensive and + defensive player this season. Certainly good news for Team Canada as Olynyk's game makes him one of our most important players, especially with FIBA rules.

His offensive versatility is on full display in this clip. Not many guys at his size can put the ball on the deck like Olynyk can. Then check out this tough fadeaway jumper that Olynyk hits with the shot clock winding down. It's this type of shot creation and versatility that has made Olynyk so effective on one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season.

Honourable Mention: Brandon Clarke

Previous Rank: #5
I'm going to say to it now. Brandon Clarke is the best Canadian rookie this season. He's just so efficient and impactful in the minutes he plays. And he was just starting to really get going after three straight games in double figures scoring.

Unfortunately, Clarke played just 10 minutes and left the game against the Timberwolves with left hip soreness. The Grizzlies are calling it an aggravated sore left oblique and he missed the Grizzlies last 4 games.

I mean just look at Clarke's impact in terms of TPA this season. It's just unreal for a rookie who wasn't a lottery pick to be playing so well so early.


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