NBA Player Power Rankings: Rested LeBron James Thriving

Dec 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) against the New Orleans Pelicans during overtime of a game at the Smoothie King Center.The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 114-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) against the New Orleans Pelicans during overtime of a game at the Smoothie King Center.The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 114-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and guard Patty Mills (8) celebrate after a score by Leonard against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. San Antonio defeated Memphis 103-83. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and guard Patty Mills (8) celebrate after a score by Leonard against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. San Antonio defeated Memphis 103-83. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Last Rank: No. 9
Position: Small Forward
Age: 24
Slash Line: .503/.500/.851
Season Averages: 33.8 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 2.0 3PM

Kawhi Leonard had a rough week, and that doesn’t have much to do with what happened on the court. It wasn’t his most statistically prolific seven days, but that shouldn’t concern his supporters or fuel his skeptics.

Leonard was battling a stomach illness that forced him to miss a game and sapped the energy out of him against the Toronto Raptors.

A healthy Leonard put 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block on the board against the Memphis Grizzlies. He struggled to score in his other two appearances, but still managed to maintain a high level of defensive effectiveness and productivity on the boards.

His nine-point performance against the Toronto Raptors should hurt him in the rankings, but Leonard’s illness offers reason for forgiveness.

Thus far in 2015-16, Leonard is shooting upwards of 50 percent from the field and beyond the 3-point line. He’s scoring, rebounding, defending and shooting at elite levels for his position, and he’s doing all of this with the limitations of San Antonio’s depth.

Leonard’s well on his way to his first All-Star Game and All-NBA selections.

Next: The Bearded Beast