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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 20, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket on Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket on Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Last Rank: No. 16

Position: Point Guard

Age: 25

Slash Line: .415/.373/.872

Season Averages: 36.3 MPG, 24.3 PPG, 7.0 APG, 4.4 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 3.0 3PM

Damian Lillard is finally getting his chance to be the No. 1 player for an NBA organization. He’s experienced his fair share of ups-and-downs, but generally speaking, the 25-year-old has played at an All-Star level.

The question is, can he do the unthinkable and get Portland back into the playoffs?

Lillard opened the week on a high note, recording 33 points and 10 assists on 13-of-24 shooting in a 116-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Unfortunately, he shot 4-of-18 as Portland lost by 25 points to the Philadelphia 76ers—a serious blemish.

He recovered well in a win over the Washington Wizards, and matched that production against the Atlanta Hawks, but C.J. McCollum led the charge in both performances.

Lillard has been a Top 20 player in 2015-16. His inefficiency is troubling, and he still isn’t defending at an acceptable level, but the 25-year-old is shooting Portland into relevancy.

Lillard deserves to make a third career All-Star Game appearance.