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NBA Player Power Rankings: Can Anyone Overthrow the Leader?

By Greg Chin

Jan 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles past Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas (3) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 106-87. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles past Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas (3) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 106-87. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 95-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 95-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

5. LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers)

Since sitting two games with a thumb injury, Aldridge has come back strong. This week, he averaged 25.7 points and 11.7 rebounds over three games. The Portland Trail Blazers have stumbled a bit of late, and have subsequently dropped from second to fourth in the Western Conference standings.

However, if not for Aldridge, the Blazers could be as low as seventh.

The win over the Utah Jazz exemplifies this point. The Blazers escaped with a one-point win, and relied on Aldridge to seal the game down the stretch. He knocked down two clutch free throws with the game on the line, and was big for the Blazers.

With his fifth straight double-double, Aldridge now has 220 double-doubles in his career with the Blazers. He has passed Sydney Wicks for the most in team history – not a bad feat for the man who claimed he wanted to retire a Blazer legend.

Next: Gasol