Aussies in the NBA - Power Rankings~!

A few months ago, I looked at the mathematics of the NBA draft lottery. Now that the NBA season has commenced, let's continue with the numbers through official* power rankings of Aussies in the NBA~!

*Actually unofficial

Pictured: The first Aussie in the NBA, the
 legend LUC LONGLEY~! Plus some other guy.

But before we start, I present to you...

The official Aussies in the NBA drinking game
Skol every time you read:

• South Sudanese born
• Son of NBL import...

Without these two things, Australian basketball looks a lot less healthy.


HONOURABLE MENTIONS I (Aussies not in NBA)

16. Mangok Mathiang
The South Sudanese born Mathiang appeared four times for the Charlotte Hornets last season, and now has signed to play in Italy.

15. Isaac Humphries 
14. Deng Adel
The young big man and young South Sudanese born big man both had training camp contracts in the NBA pre-season, before being cut by Atlanta and Toronto respectively.

13. Mitch Creek
The former Adelaide 36ers star is currently playing with the Brooklyn Nets G-League affiliate team.

12. Andrew Bogut
The biggest signing in NBL history, Bogut was a #1 draft pick and a critical piece in the first championship success of the current Golden State Warriors dynasty. He has great hands, and greater (dirty) defense.


HONOURABLE MENTIONS II (Not Aussies in the NBA)

11. Terrance Ferguson
Skipped college to warm the bench for Adelaide, and just two years on is starting for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Go NBL!

10. Steven Adams
Plays alongside Ferguson, as the starting center for OKC. Actually from New Zealand, but close enough.



OFFICIAL POWER RANKINGS

9. Jonah Bolden
Son of NBL import Bruce, the younger Bolden was drafted by Philly last season but played the season in Europe, and has made the occasional garbage-time appearance in the NBA as a rookie this year. Huge potential, but unfortunately just injured himself in the G-League.

I'm a Dell-eiver.

8. Matthew Dellavedova
He's sitting way down the end of the bench for the Milwaukee Bucks this season, but the Delly Lama was a key role player for the Cleveland Cavs championship win a few years back (along with LeBron James, I guess). Delly was also voted by colleagues as the dirtiest player in the game two years ago (2nd and 3rd are #10 and #12 in these rankings, which just indicates how soft the rest of the world is compared to Aus/NZ).

7. Ryan Broekhoff
Signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a two year deal in the off-season. Previously played in Russia, shooting 50% from 3-point range in his final season there. Already getting some bench minutes and has potential as a specialist 3-and-D impact player, perhaps as Joe Ingles-lite? 

His karate skills are still more credible
 than claims he is 21 years old.

6. Thon Maker
South Sudanese born, Maker started the season slow - the Bucks said he was injured, but he was probably just exhausted from all the off-season kung fu fighting. After missing a few games when fit, Maker has been slowly getting more involved off the bench. He has the tools to be a key player for one of the best teams in the Eastern conference - Maker made 4 blocks in an NBA finals game last season, and he can shoot 3's.

5. Dante Exum
Injuries have curtailed the young career of the former #5 draft pick and son on NBL import Cecil, but I still want to believe! And so do the Utah Jazz - they renewed his contract in the off-season. Exum is still explosive off the dribble and has elite defensive potential. Can't shoot though.

4. Patty Mills
One of the all-time great 6th men in the modern era, Mills has been a key contributor to San Antonio Spurs forever. Still logging significant minutes this season, albeit for a much weaker team.

3. Aron Baynes

Most of my NBA memories of Baynes are of the lanky man-bun wearing 'ranga getting posterized by Giannis Antetokounmpo again and again and again...

To be fair, that just means Baynes is one of the few players dedicated/stupid enough to try and stop the Greek Freak in full flight. Most players would duck and cover, but Baynes always put his body on the line for the team, which is why he's a key role player for the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are not very good so far this season, but will inevitably be one of the best teams in the NBA by the finals.

Pictured: one of the deadliest
 weapons in the NBA.

2. Joe Ingles

A.K.A. Slow Mo Jo, Jinglin' Joe, The Accountant, Old Man Ingles, and countless other nicknames that indicate what a huge cult following Ingles has in the NBA, and especially in Utah.

Despite the references to being an ordinary man amongst uber athletes - which are slightly ridiculous when you consider Ingles is 2m tall and playing NBA basketball - he has developed into a key player for the Jazz, and one of the best small forwards in the league. Last season he was the 4th best 3-point shooter in the NBA (and those above him took less shots), even though at the start of his NBA career he was regarded as a wingman who wouldn't take open looks, which shows how hard he has worked.

1. Ben Simmons
Duh.

The only rookies to post similar numbers to Ben Simmons are Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. He is criticised for being unable to shoot, which is true, but as he's built like a power forward with the handles, passing and vision of a hall of fame point guard, it seems like a petty quibble. 

BuT bEn SiMmOnS cAnT sHoOt.

Honestly, Simmons dating a Kardashian is more concerning than his jump shot mechanics right now. He's a legitimate top 20 player in the NBA in his second season, and advanced metrics project he will have the biggest impact on the NBA over the next seven years. If he eventually develops an outside game, he will be unstoppable.

TRUST THE PROCESS.

Also, he's the son of NBL import Dave.