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NBA Player Power Rankings: Top 20 Players at Midway Point

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Rank: No. 3

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .453/.291/.818

Season Averages: 33.8 MPG, 24.0 PPG, 9.8 APG, 7.0 RPG, 2.5 SPG, 1.2 3PM

If MVP were based solely on individual statistics, it’d be very difficult to argue against Russell Westbrook. The triple-double machine is No. 1 in the NBA in steals per game, No. 2 in assists average, and No. 7 in points per contest.

For good measure, Westbrook leads all guards in rebounding.

With all of this being weighed, Westbrook is No. 2 in the NBA in both Win Shares and Player Efficiency Rating. Kevin Durant has played at a superstar-caliber level, but his recovery from a 2014-15 foot injury has hindered him to some degree.

Westbrook has embraced the changes Billy Donovan has instituted by learning how to facilitate without taking a high volume of shots.

As much was proven when he ripped off back-to-back triple-doubles against the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves on a combined 26 field goal attempts. For those who forgot about his shooting touch, Westbrook tallied 27 points and 12 assists against the Denver Nuggets.

Westbrook closed the week out with 16 points, 15 assists, eight rebounds, and five steals in what became the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sixth consecutive victory.

Next: The Runaway Favorite