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NBA: Player Rankings – Week 14

By Jared Jackson

Jan 31, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after receiving a foul in the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after receiving a foul in the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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9. Damian Lillard (PG, Portland Trail Blazers) 

Jan 28, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Another young player learning the hard way that being elite means doing it every night, Lillard has struggled of late. He’s shooting just 37.8 percent in the Trail Blazers’ last five games, 17.2 percent from beyond the arc and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. He’s averaging 14.2 points, 3.8 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 0.4 steals. Simply put, Lillard is in a major slump right now. But this temporary haze doesn’t change the fact that he’s been a monster this season and earned his Western Conference All-Star nod that was awarded Thursday night by the West’s coaches.