From the Toronto Sun (October 25, 2016)

Turn on an NBA game these days and one of the two teams probably has a Canadian on it. Gone are the days when two or three Canucks played in the best hoops league in the world. Now, it's a movement.

Andrew Wiggins is the biggest name, of course, and the former rookie of the year is expected to make a huge jump this season and become a more rounded star.

Minnesota is the darling of the league thanks to young superstar in waiting Karl-Anthony Towns, Wiggins, a good supporting cast and new coach Tom Thibodeau, who has a track record of defensive brilliance.

Wiggins has worked on his ball-handling, shooting and added some weight and expects to make an even bigger impact as the Wolves chase a playoff berth. He already was only the 10th player ever to average 20 points in a season that began before he turned 21.

Teammate Zach LaVine said Wiggins is now shooting the heck out of the ball and Wiggins, of Vaughan, said he wants to rebound and pass better too, with one specific goal in mind.

"The main goal is to be in the playoffs, end the drought. We're a young team. But that doesn't give us an excuse not to win games," Wiggins said via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

"Look at what he's done at a young age," Thibodeau said. "He's good. But there's a lot of room for him to show all the things he can do. The thing is never to be satisfied. To always think you can do more."

In Cleveland, Tristan Thompson is aiming for another ring and the Brampton product has emerged as a star with some of the gaudiest offensive rebounding numbers in league history. His good friend Cory Joseph, of Pickering thrived at home with the Raptors and now the team is talking him up as a sixth-man-of-the-year candidate.

Kyle Lowry said the same thing of Joseph's improved shooting that LaVine did about Wiggins, except Lowry said it using an expletive. Joseph, a career 29% three-point shooter, nailed 3-of-4 from outside in the pre-season and is oozing confidence.

Saskatoon-born Trey Lyles is a favourite of Utah coach Quin Snyder and will play a ton for a fringe contender and Toronto's Dwight Powell got a fat contract from the Mavericks and likely sees a bigger role this season.

Kitchener's Jamal Murray has as much talent as any Canadian and will emerge as a key piece of the puzzle in Denver and will be in the rookie of the year hunt.

The list goes on, with others battling back from injuries, searching for a shot to prove themselves or trying to take advantage of another chance.

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