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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Time Statistics Are Tough To Ignore

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles as Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) defends during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles as Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) defends during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz

Position: Small Forward
Age: 26 (3/23/1990)
Experience: 7th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .469/.390/.871
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.7 MPG, 22.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.0 3PM

The competition was stiff for the No. 20 spot in the NBA Player Power Rankings. The likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Klay Thompson were all in the running, but the resounding success of the Utah Jazz earned Gordon Hayward his first appearance of 2016-17.

The Jazz quietly have the sixth-best record in the NBA and the solidification of Hayward’s All-Star status has earned him the No. 20 spot.

Hayward began this past week by posting 33 points and eight rebounds on 13-of-20 shooting in a 105-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He followed with 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals on 12-of-18 shooting in a 120-95 statement win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Hayward then posted 17 points in 26 minutes in a blowout of the New Orleans Pelicans, and had 36 points against the Dallas Mavericks.

Beyond the numbers, Hayward is one of the most well-rounded and methodical players in the NBA. He sees the game at a different speed as most other players and approaches playmaking with a rare fundamental creativity.

The Jazz have become one of the best teams in the NBA and Hayward, a first-time All-Star, deserves much of the credit for that success.