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NBA Player Power Rankings: Kevin Durant Surpassing LeBron?

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Last Rank: No. 15

Position: Point Guard

Age: 25

Slash Line: .420/.365/.861

Season Averages: 36.0 MPG, 24.0 PPG, 7.2 APG, 4.4 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 2.9 3PM

After appearances in 2014 and 2015, Damian Lillard will not be an All-Star in 2016. That’s an unfathomable truth considering how brilliantly Lillard has played for the Portland Trail Blazers.

For those unfamiliar, those are the Trail Blazers who, after losing five starters, are the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

Lillard has Portland on a five-game winning streak with nine wins in its past 11 outings. During that stretch, he’s recorded four double-doubles—all wins—and six games with at least 20 points—once again, all wins.

In his most recent outing, Lillard scrapped the scoring aggressiveness for a team-oriented 14 points and 12 assists as the Trail Blazers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 107-95.

Even before this recent push, Lillard was having one of the strongest seasons of any player in the NBA. His explosive scoring and improved work as a facilitator both rank in the Top 10, and his leadership has been undeniable.

Lillard still doesn’t offer much defensively, but even that phase of his game has improved in what can only be described as an All-Star snub of a season.

Next: The All-Star Starter