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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; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) celebrates against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) celebrates against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat

Last Rank: N/A

Position: Center

Age: 26

Slash Line: .613/.000/.542

Season Averages: 28.9 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 3.9 BPG

Statistically speaking, Hassan Whiteside is the most dominant shot blocker of the 21st century. I’ve written that sentence many times before, and this past week did nothing but reaffirm that status.

Whiteside began the week by ripping off an extraordinary triple-double with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 11 blocks.

That’s a great way to get back into the Top 20 discussion.

Whiteside followed that extraordinary performance by recording 14 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He then tallied 23 points, 18 boards, and two swats against the Milwaukee Bucks, but recorded just two points and two rebounds in 11 minutes against the Washington Wizards.

That keeps him out of the Top 20.

He may not be your conventional star, but Whiteside is a defensive menace who deserves recognition for his brilliance. He leads the league in blocks per game and block percentage—and it really isn’t close—is Top 5 in field goal percentage, Defensive Rating, and Defensive Win Shares, and is No. 12 in Player Efficiency Rating.

Whiteside is making a compelling case for both All-Star and All-NBA appearances in 2015-16.

Next: The Driving Force