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Highlight Performance: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had back to back 32 point outings, tying his career high and became just the 5th Canadian in NBA history to record consecutive 30+ point games. He tied his career high again against the Raptors on Dec 29 and became just the 6th Canadian to have scored 30+ more than twice.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Previous Rank: #2
Shai has exploded over this last stretch of games and it's coincided with the Thunder going 7-3. I mean just check out the numbers over his past 5 games (excluding the recent win against the Raptors where he was terrific and tied his career high with 32 points).
One of the reasons for Shai's offensive outburst has been his aggressiveness attacking the basket. Over the past 3 weeks, Shai has only attempted more than 3 three-pointers in three games. That's over a 10 game stretch where he's been getting to the rim much more and his FG% has jumped to 49.7%. Shai is also at 17.5 drives per game over this 10 game stretch which puts him at 8th in the league! Compared to the rest of the season, Shai is averaging 16.6 drives. It's clear that Shai is at his best attacking the basket and its good to see him be more aggressive lately.
Check out this next play where Shai's length shines. First the quick change of pace to blow by Booker and then the extension on the gather step to get to the rim. I don't think I've ever seen a guy be able to create that much separation by just reaching and extending. Shai's length combined with his innate ability to get by his defender is making him one of the game's most relentless drivers in the game.
Shai's elite separation game is on full display here on this gorgeous euro step. His ability to change directions and pace in a split second combined with his length makes him so hard to contain and it's been a primary reason why he gets to the rim so much.
Shai has exploded over this last stretch of games and it's coincided with the Thunder going 7-3. I mean just check out the numbers over his past 5 games (excluding the recent win against the Raptors where he was terrific and tied his career high with 32 points).
Shai during his last 5 games...— Canadians in the NBA 🍁 (@NBACanadians) December 28, 2019
26.4 PPG
4.6 RPG
2.2 APG
2.0 SPG
53% FG
40% 3PT
90% FT
Borderline All-Star. pic.twitter.com/oFFHreDhLC
One of the reasons for Shai's offensive outburst has been his aggressiveness attacking the basket. Over the past 3 weeks, Shai has only attempted more than 3 three-pointers in three games. That's over a 10 game stretch where he's been getting to the rim much more and his FG% has jumped to 49.7%. Shai is also at 17.5 drives per game over this 10 game stretch which puts him at 8th in the league! Compared to the rest of the season, Shai is averaging 16.6 drives. It's clear that Shai is at his best attacking the basket and its good to see him be more aggressive lately.
Check out this next play where Shai's length shines. First the quick change of pace to blow by Booker and then the extension on the gather step to get to the rim. I don't think I've ever seen a guy be able to create that much separation by just reaching and extending. Shai's length combined with his innate ability to get by his defender is making him one of the game's most relentless drivers in the game.
Shai's elite separation game is on full display here on this gorgeous euro step. His ability to change directions and pace in a split second combined with his length makes him so hard to contain and it's been a primary reason why he gets to the rim so much.
2. Jamal Murray
Previous Rank: #1
While Shai has undoubtedly played better over the past 3 weeks, let's not forget about Jamal Murray. If anything the debate of best Canadian in the NBA has gotten a lot more interesting.
Murray's efficiency has dipped in his last 11 games. He's shooting just 42% from the field and 30.4% from 3. He's also been held to single digits in 3 of the 11 games. However, it seems anytime Murray begins to get in a rhythm this season, he gets hurt as he left another game early, this time against the 76ers on Dec 11th with a trunk contusion (he played just 5 minutes and had 0 points).
The one thing Murray has in his favour over both Shai and Wiggins in the best Canadian in the NBA debate is the advanced numbers. Murray has both of them beat in almost every single traditional advanced stat on both offense and defense.
| Rk | Player | PER | WS | WS/48 | OBPM | DBPM | BPM | VORP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 16.5 | 2.1 | .091 | -0.6 | -0.6 | -1.2 | 0.2 | |
| 2 | Jamal Murray | 16.7 | 2.4 | .114 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 0.8 | |
| 3 | Andrew Wiggins | 18.0 | 1.4 | .071 | 0.6 | -1.6 | -1.0 | 0.2 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/30/2019.
This next play is what makes Jamal so special. Just a simple screen and roll action that Denver runs in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter. Check out the separation Murray gets on this snatch-back. Incredible balance on the step back shot and Murray drains the game winner.
3. Andrew Wiggins
Previous Rank: #3
At this point it's clear that Shai, Murray and Wiggins are the three best Canadian players in the NBA. And while Wiggins has continued to play well, the Timberwolves are a mess. They've lost 12 of the last 13 games and both Wiggins and Towns have been sidelined during this stretch.
Wiggins is continuing to score the basketball albeit on lower efficiency compared to the beginning of the season His 3P% has plummeted in the last 8 games to 29.8%. His eFG% has also taken a hit and dropped to 48.7%.
While the offense has been hit or miss, Wiggins continues to contribute in other ways this season. In the past 8 games, he's at 15.0% in terms of AST%, 12.4% in terms of DRB%, 1.1% in terms of STL% and 1.9% in terms of BLK%.
In addition, up to December 15th, Wiggins was tied for 2nd in the league with 6 blocked 3PA. He's finally using his athleticism on the defensive end and it's been great to see.
Some #NBA Trivia: Here's a list of the Top 17 three point shot blockers in the league as of this morning.— Justin Jacobs (@Squared2020) December 15, 2019
There are currently TWO teams that have not blocked a shot beyond the arc. Who are those two teams? pic.twitter.com/mvVffHlVID
4. Brandon Clarke
Previous Rank: Honourable Mention
There is no more debate. Brandon Clarke is the best Canadian rookie in this year's class. And judging by the advanced numbers, he may be having one of the best rookie seasons of any Canadian ever.
In the past three weeks, Brandon Clarke just keep getting better and better. He shot an absurd 66.7% from the field on nearly 10 attempts a game. And the shooting stroke is looking great as well. Clarke's shooting 46.2% from three, albeit on just over 1 attempt a game. In terms of TS% and eFG%, Clarke is at 70.9% and 69.8% respectively! Still, for someone who had no jumpshot in college, seeing his improved stroke has significantly raised his ceiling.
Another encouraging sign is Clarke's impact on both ends of the floor, but especially his elite impact on offense. Over the past 10 games, Clarke is averaging an insane 135 ORtg. On the season Clarke's now at +1.9 in terms of OWS and a blistering +2.7 in terms of OBPM. In addition, Clarke is leading all rookies this season in eFG%, TS%, DReb% and PIE.
Oh and in case you forget about how athletic Clarke is, he did this to remind you.
An underrated aspect of Clarke's game is his incredible touch. While he can finish at the rim with power and ferocity, Clarke's array of floaters and push shots makes him even more lethal as the role man in PnR action. I mean this shot may not seem like much, but the finesse required to make a floater from near the free throw line is just incredible.
But you can kind of see why Brooks is already such a divisive player. Despite making the shot above, Brooks shot selection is not good at all. And this only gets more painful to watch when his shot is not falling. This next play just makes you cringe as his tunnel vision is on full display.
Right now he's taking 12.5 FGA per game, which is 3rd most on the team. I'm not sure right now you want Brooks to be taking that many shots a game. But if there ever comes along a coach that can help reign Brooks in a little bit, he will develop into a high impact role player.
In the past three weeks, Brandon Clarke just keep getting better and better. He shot an absurd 66.7% from the field on nearly 10 attempts a game. And the shooting stroke is looking great as well. Clarke's shooting 46.2% from three, albeit on just over 1 attempt a game. In terms of TS% and eFG%, Clarke is at 70.9% and 69.8% respectively! Still, for someone who had no jumpshot in college, seeing his improved stroke has significantly raised his ceiling.
Another encouraging sign is Clarke's impact on both ends of the floor, but especially his elite impact on offense. Over the past 10 games, Clarke is averaging an insane 135 ORtg. On the season Clarke's now at +1.9 in terms of OWS and a blistering +2.7 in terms of OBPM. In addition, Clarke is leading all rookies this season in eFG%, TS%, DReb% and PIE.
Oh and in case you forget about how athletic Clarke is, he did this to remind you.
An underrated aspect of Clarke's game is his incredible touch. While he can finish at the rim with power and ferocity, Clarke's array of floaters and push shots makes him even more lethal as the role man in PnR action. I mean this shot may not seem like much, but the finesse required to make a floater from near the free throw line is just incredible.
5. Tristan Thompson
Previous Rank: #4
Thompson continues to produce and play well. Over the past 10 games, he's averaging a double double and just continues to prove why he is one of the better role players in the NBA.
Thompson's offensive production has regressed, but he continues to do his work on the boards. He's currently 6th in the league in OReb% at 13.7%. In addition, Thompson's defense continues to be top notch. He's at a +1.3 in terms of DBPM and his Blk% is the highest it's been in 4 seasons. He's also rates as a +2.0 in terms of Overall DEF RAPTOR.
The most encouraging sign for Thompson has been his health this season. He's been an ironman ever since he came into the league, but has not played more than 53 games in the past two seasons. Thus far, he's missed just 1 game this season. His improved health and play bode well for Thompson's upcoming free agency.
Honourable Mention: Dillon Brooks
Previous Rank: Unranked
Dillon Brooks is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. On a good day, he's a solid contributor who can score in bunches and even carry an offense in short periods of time. However, when his shot is not falling it can get ugly.
I mean when he's playing well, he can hit some ridiculous shots. Check out the awkward looking step back jumper here. Even though Saric's hand is right in his face, Brooks drains the jumper like he's not even there.
But you can kind of see why Brooks is already such a divisive player. Despite making the shot above, Brooks shot selection is not good at all. And this only gets more painful to watch when his shot is not falling. This next play just makes you cringe as his tunnel vision is on full display.
Dillon Brooks can’t be disturbed right now, he is playing basketball by himself pic.twitter.com/Ax6wSVTueF— Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) December 21, 2019
Right now he's taking 12.5 FGA per game, which is 3rd most on the team. I'm not sure right now you want Brooks to be taking that many shots a game. But if there ever comes along a coach that can help reign Brooks in a little bit, he will develop into a high impact role player.
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