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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 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) dunks the ball over Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (L) and forward C.J. Miles (0) during overtime against the Indiana Pacers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 122-119. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) dunks the ball over Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (L) and forward C.J. Miles (0) during overtime against the Indiana Pacers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 122-119. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz
Last Rank: No. 20
Position: Power Forward
Age: 24
Slash Line: .547/.000/.701
Season Averages: 32.1 MPG, 17.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG

In his first game since returning to the Top 20, Derrick Favors posted a pedestrian 12 points and 10 rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting from the field. It was a relatively underwhelming performance by a player who seemed to have broken through a week prior.

Two days later, he calmed the basketball world’s nerves by dropping a cool 35 points and 13 rebounds on the Indiana Pacers.

Favors followed that 35-point eruption with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a block against the Sacramento Kings. It wasn’t a stellar outing, but he helped force DeMarcus Cousins into five turnovers and six fouls.

With doubt again mounting, Favors posted 20 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes against New York Knicks. He held Kristaps Porzingis to four points on 2-of-8 shooting.

Favors isn’t the most consistently productive player on offense, but he’s a dominant defender, which easily makes up for the occasional lack of production. He dominates the paint as a rim protector, and contains the best of the best at both power forward and center.

It’s a loose grip, but Favors still has a hold on the No. 20 spot. Just don’t be surprised if teammate Gordon Hayward takes it from him.

Next: King of the Assist