Fansided

3 things The Ringer top 100 NBA player list got right and 1 they got wrong

By Matthew Razzano

Dec 16, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after being called for a foul against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after being called for a foul against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Right: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 12

Next on the list is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder at number 12. His listed characteristics include interior scoring, clutch gene, and on-ball defense. In his fifth season in the league, Shai has come into his own. He’s playing better than at any point in his career, but the Thunder are floundering toward the bottom of the Western Conference.

Shai is currently third in the NBA in scoring with 31.0 points per game — well above the 24.5 points per game he averaged in 2021. Add on 4.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, and he’s having an MVP-type season statistically.

Again, the obvious question might be, if Shai is having an MVP-type season, shouldn’t he be higher than 12 on the Ringer’s list? First, the Thunder being near the bottom of the Western Conference lowers his stock. Second, since this season is proving to be far and away Shai’s best, it’s possible that his numbers could trail off since the Thunder have not even played 30 games yet.

Like Zion before him, Shai is in a holding pattern at number 12. If he can keep up the pace of his current numbers this season, he might find himself in the top 10 before long.

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