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NBA Player Power Rankings: Hey Now, You’re An All-Star

By Greg Chin

Feb 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; An interior view at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; An interior view at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Thunder won 124-114. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Thunder won 124-114. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Making the power rankings for the first time this season, Kevin Durant’s inclusion as an All-Star this season has created a debatable topic for many NBA observers. Playing in just 25 of a possible 53 games this season, many have surmised that Durant hasn’t earned his spot as an All-Star.

However, if you take a look at his averages, you’ll see that he’s putting up what many term as “All-Star numbers.” He averages 25.9 points, 4.1 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game. His PER of 28.23 is fourth highest in the league, and he leads all small forwards in PER.

Yes, he may have missed more games than he’s played in this season, but when you look at what he’s managed to do in that short span, it’s all the more impressive. Plus, the last time a reigning MVP wasn’t listed as an All-Star the next season was in 2012, when Derrick Rose missed the 2012-13 season due to injury – apart from Rose, no other MVP has missed the All-Star game the next season in recent history.

If the detractors are still struggling to accept his inclusion, pretend the All-Star criteria takes into account the performances of the previous season post-All Star weekend.

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