Biweekly Player Power Rankings: 3/5/12
1. LeBron James
LeBron James has still been the best player in the league. James had his worst game of the season when the Heat played the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Then, on Sunday he bounces back with a gem against the New York Knicks scoring 29 points, coupling that with 11 rebounds and seven rebounds. The Miami Heat are on a franchise high 15 game winning streak and James has been a very large part of that.
2. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook has picked up the slack for the Thunder while Durant seems to be on a post All-Star break slump–if we can really call it that. In any event, Westbrook has scored 31.2 points in his last five games. He’s got a net rating of 27.8 and has really carried the Thunder over the last few games.
3. Dwyane Wade
LeBron James is number one, right? Well Dwyane Wade has been just as good in this 15 game streak as LeBron has. He’s averaging 24.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, and 6.1 assists per game in the last 15. The last five? He’s averaging 27.4 points per game, 7.8 assists per game, and 6.4 rebounds per game. Don’t forget about him–he’ll make you pay for it.
4. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant should probably be over Dwyane Wade here. He’s been on a tear and the Lakers have been playing winning basketball. In his last five he’s scoring 34.8 point per game over the last five along with 5.8 assists and 7.2 rebounds on 56% shooting. The Black Mamba is back in the top 10, folks.
5. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry has already been proclaimed as one of the best NBA shooters of all time. Its very rare that you’ll see a player with the skill to shoot off of the dribble from deep. He’s scorching hot from three point range. He’s shooting 45% from three this season and only 52% at the rim. In his last five games he’s scoring 34.6 points per game while shooting 56% from beyond the arch.
6. Al Horford
An Atlanta Hawk makes the top 10 for the second time in a row. Al Horford has been on a tear as of late. The Atlanta Hawks are starting to look like one of the teams that you don’t want to see in the playoffs because of his play. Horford scored 23.8 points per game throughout his last five and he’s coupled that with 12.4 rebounds per contest as well.
7. Jame Harden
James Harden has really been trying to play himself back into the MVP conversation. With the Rockets being as hot as they are, he can make a case. If they weren’t playing in a tough Western Conference they’d be a much better team. Harden’s last 10 games read like this: 29.3 points per game, 6.5 assists per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 52% shooting from the floor and 44% shooting from deep. He’s doing his best job to keep the Lakers from making the playoffs.
8. Kevin Durant
For a mere mortal, Durant’s numbers over his last five games would probably land him a spot in the top five. Since we’re talking about the Durantala here, he’ll occupy the 8th spot on this weeks power rankings. In his last five, Durant has averaged 24.8 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per game, and 6 assists per game. He’s only shooting 43% from the field though–way below his season percentage of 50.9%. That’s why he fell in the rankings for us.
9. Joakim Noah
Over the weekend, Joakim Noah had two straight 20 rebound games and he also had a triple double with over 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots. Nothing else needs to be said here.
10. Monta Ellis
Monta Ellis have it all. Last five: 24 points per game, 4 steals per game, 8 assists per game, 50% shooting, and a 105.2 offensive rating. Havin’ it all.
11. Blake Griffin
12. Carmelo Anthony
13. Chris Paul
14. Ty Lawson
15. Josh Smith
16. Jeff Green
17. Andre Iguodala
18. Brandon Jennings
19. Bradley Beal
20. Marc Gasol
21. Larry Sanders
22. Tyson Chandler
23. Dwight Howard
24. David Lee
25. Greg Monroe