Old School Power Rankings

Old School Power Rankings Weeks 3-4

Top two stay put, a very familiar name ascends to third spot and two new names join the chase for the first time

And just like that, things are starting to return to normalcy.

Pau Gasol is ascending, Tony Parker shows up, Mr. Sixth Man Jamal Crawford returns to the chase and Dirk Nowitzki is back in action. And we’re expecting Tyson Chandler to climb back onto the list in very short order.

Since we took last week off, we’re changing it up a bit and taking the last two weeks into account for this week’s list.

Notes: Season statistics are through games of Nov. 23

Any player who turns 33 during regular season can be added to rankings.

1. Dwyane Wade (34), Chicago Bulls

Nov. 10 rank: 1

Nov. 11-24 stats: 5 games, 20.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 apg

Season stats: 18.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg

One odd statistic from Wade’s last five games: In three wins, he averaged 17.0 points on 38.5 shooting, while in two losses he averaged 25.0 points on 43.9 shooting. Over the two-week period, Wade shot 40.9 from the field (six straight shooting under 50 percent) and 41.2 from beyond the arc. And somehow he’s still holding the top spot.

http://www.nba.com/video/2016/11/11/20161110heat-pay-tribute-wade/

2. Zach Randolph (35), Memphis Grizzlies

Nov. 10 rank: 2

Nov. 11-24 stats: 7 games, 14.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.0 apg

Season stats: 14.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.0 apg

Despite averaging just 23.3 minutes, Randolph managed to score 14 or more points in four of his last six games while shooting 48.3 from the field. The big man has also snatched seven or more rebounds in 10 of his last 11 games. Aside from a 2-point effort on Nov. 1, Randolph has been ultra-consistent.

3. Pau Gasol (36), San Antonio Spurs

Nov. 10 rank: 7

Nov. 11-24 stats: 7 games, 16.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.6 apg

Season stats: 12.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.7 apg

Welcome back to the upper echelon, old friend. Gasol seems to have found his game after a 2-point showing on Nov. 9, going for 15 or more in five of his last seven games. He’s also put up 13 or more shots in five of seven after surpassing that number just once in the previous eight. Back in the top three, just like we predicted.

4. Kyle Korver (35), Atlanta Hawks

Nov. 10 rank: 5

Nov. 11-24 stats: 6 games, 10.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg

Season stats: 9.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.2 apg

You know it’s been an uneventful two-week period when Korver moves up after averaging just over 10 points a game. But in addition to shooting 50 percent from the field and 41.4 from beyond the arc, he’s scored in double figures in five of his last seven games. He’s also managed to connect on at least two treys in three of his last four.

5. Channing Frye (33), Cleveland Cavaliers

Nov. 10 rank: 6

Nov. 11-24 stats: 6 games, 11.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.8 apg

Season stats: 11.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.7 apg

After back-to-back 20-point efforts on Nov. 13 and 15, Frye looked poised to cruise into the top four. But the brakes were quickly pumped after a zero-point effort in nine minutes Friday. With that said, it was still a productive stint for Frye, who in just 18.2 minutes shot 49 percent from the field and an impressive 48.7 from deep.

6. Vince Carter (39), Memphis Grizzlies

Nov. 10 rank: 4

Nov. 11-24 stats: 7 games, 11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.9 apg

Season stats: 9.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.9 apg

Like Frye, Carter appeared ready to climb into the top three after two strong performances. But the good vibes quickly faded as he managed to break double figures in just two of his next five games. Maybe heavier minutes (30.5) are slowly taking a toll on Carter, who shot just 40.6 over the last two weeks.

7. Tony Parker (34), San Antonio Spurs

Nov. 10 rank: NA

Nov. 11-24 stats: 6 games, 12.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 5.0 apg

Season stats: 9.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.6 apg

After an uneven start to the season (not to mention an ailing knee), Parker seems to have hit a mini-stride, scoring in double figures in five consecutive games while dishing out six or more assists in three of the last five. The shooting has also picked up, 48.3 from the field over the last two weeks.

8. Jamal Crawford (36), LA Clippers

Nov. 10 rank: Just missed

Nov. 11-24 stats: 8 games, 12.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 2.3 apg

Season stats: 11.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.1 apg

After going for double-figure scoring in just one of his previous five games, Crawford has eclipsed the mark in six of the last eight, connecting on two or more 3-pointers in four of those games. Though only averaging 23.9 minutes, he’s definitely a key component in the Clippers’ blazing start to the season.

9. Matt Barnes (36), Sacramento Kings

Nov. 10 rank: 9

Nov. 11-24 stats: 5 games, 8.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.2 apg

Season stats: 7.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.5 apg

We admit it: Filling out the bottom of this list was a challenge. Barnes keeps his spot on the strength of back-to-back 15-point games in which he shot a combined 11-for-19 to go along with six 3-pointers (6-for-10). But the other three games left a lot to be desired — a combined 13 points on 4-for-18 shooting.

10. Beno Udrih (34), Detroit Pistons

Nov. 10 rank: NA

Nov. 11-24 stats: 8 games, 8.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.6 apg

Season stats: 7.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.7 apg

Though playing just 18.1 minutes, Udrih managed to shoot 50.9 percent from the field and dished out four or more assists in five games. Playing 30 minutes on Wednesday, he may have turned in his best effort of the young season with 12 points, five assists and three rebounds.

Just missed the cut: Tony Allen, Nene, Manu Ginobili, Jose Calderon

Will turn 33 this season: Andre Iguodala (Jan. 28), Zaza Pachulia (Feb. 10), Marcin Gortat (Feb. 17), Sasha Vujacic (March 8), Chris Bosh (March 24), C.J. Watson (April 17)

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.

Latest