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NBA Player Power Rankings: Has Stephen Curry Won MVP Yet?

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after being called for a foul against the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after being called for a foul against the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after a go ahead basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after a go ahead basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

10. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Last Rank: No. 11

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 25

Slash Line: .425/.342/.869

Season Averages: 37.3 MPG, 27.5 PPG, 6.9 APG, 6.3 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 2.7 3PM

James Harden had one of his best weeks of the 2015-16 NBA regular season, and the Houston Rockets followed suit. It was yet another illustration of how Harden is responsible for the outcome of most games he plays in a Rockets uniform.

That’s an intriguing sign of his value, but Houston’s 25-23 record is also a reflection of how inconsistent Harden has been.

Harden opened the week with 30 points and eight assists on 9-of-15 shooting in a 102-98 victory over the surging Milwaukee Bucks. He then posted 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists during a win over the Dallas Mavericks, and had 35 points, 11 rebounds, and eight dimes in a 112-111 escape of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Harden didn’t offer much in a 130-99 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, but his previous three performances inspired faith.

Harden has been hot-and-cold in 2015-16, and the Rockets have paid the price for his fluctuations. There are bigger issues than The Bearded One, but this team lives and dies by his ability to produce.

Fair or foul, his inability to carry the burden as well as he did in 2014-15 is why he’d spent much of the season outside of the Top 10.

Next: The New Man in Town