NBA Most Improved Player Power Rankings: Is Scottie Barnes rising?

2. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have been very upfront about their desire to make sure their main goal is giving Barnes the tools needed to become a star. The first few weeks of the season have shown that Scottie can take what Darko Rajakovic is asking of him and make magic happen.

Barnes is averaging 21.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game while chipping in 1.5 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. Barnes is stuffing the stat sheet while being efficient and a defensive chess piece, which is what Masai Ujiri has always believed he was capable of.

NBA Most Improved Player Power Rankings: Scottie Barnes is fighting with Tyrese Maxey.

1. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

While Nick Nurse was unable to get the most out of Barnes during his tenure with the Raptors, Maxey has been very receptive to whatever the championship-winning coach has been preaching. Maxey has always been a tremendous athlete with great speed, but he’s finally starting to put all the pieces together.

Maxey is averaging 25.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game despite being the second offensive option behind Joel Embiid in Philadelphia. Maxey has been so dominant that the loss of James Harden has not impacted the offense negatively one iota.

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