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NBA Player Power Rankings: Rested LeBron James Thriving

By Maxwell Ogden

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 8, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (left), forward LeBron James (center) and forward Kevin Love react after a 105-100 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (left), forward LeBron James (center) and forward Kevin Love react after a 105-100 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

4. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Rank: No. 4
Position: Small Forward
Age: 30
Slash Line: .495/.284/.717
Season Averages: 37.1 MPG, 26.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.2 3PM

Come the fourth quarter, LeBron James has been the most dominant player in the NBA in 2015-16. Shaking his reputation for not being clutch, James has routinely taken over games in the most delicate of moments.

That plays a major factor in James silencing his critics and solidifying his place as an MVP candidate.

The question is, how long will it be until the Cleveland Cavaliers begin winning with regularity?

James began the week with 37 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, one block and a steal against the New Orleans Pelicans. He scored 21 of the Cavaliers’ final 24 points in regulation, but failed to score a single point in overtime—a period during which Cleveland was outscored 9-3.

The latter fact, as well as his sitting without an injury against the Miami Heat, prevents James from moving up this list.

For now.

Next: Fighting to Contend