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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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2. LeBron James (SF, Miami Heat) 

Jan 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) reacts after being injured on a play during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) reacts after being injured on a play during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

James certainly didn’t look like he was “coasting,” as some have accused him of this season, in the game against the Thunder. He actually outscored Kevin Durant (34-33) but couldn’t pull his team through to victory. If the Heat are experiencing some burnout right now it’s understandable. They’re in the midst of a striking run of four straight seasons playing with the bullseye on their chests. No one has handled that pressure better than James, whose motor never seems to stop. And if he didn’t silence his critics before Saturday night’s game against the Knicks, his 30 point, eight rebound, seven assist and six steal performance should do the trick.