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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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Feb 3, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23, right) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23, right) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs

Last Rank: N/A

Position: Power Forward

Age: 30

Slash Line: .498/.000/.822

Season Averages: 29.5 MPG, 16.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 BPG

When the NBA announced San Antonio Spurs star LaMarcus Aldridge as an All-Star reserve, the basketball community responded with a reasonable measure of confusion. It’s not that Aldridge isn’t deserving as a player as much as it is that he hasn’t played at an All-Star level in 2015-16.

If recent games have proven anything, it’s that Aldridge has heard the criticism, shut it out, and is turning it into fuel for his now raging fire.

Aldridge erupted against the Orlando Magic, recording 28 points and five blocks on 9-of-13 shooting in a 107-92 Spurs win. He then tallied 36 points and three blocks on 12-of-20 shooting in a 110-97 victory over Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.

These performances aren’t enough to push Aldridge back into the Top 20, but he’s been dangerously close for quite some time now.

The hope is that Aldridge can step up with games like this rather than the poor showings he’s had against teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. He’s proven himself as a postseason performer in the past, but the Spurs need a consistently strong output in 2016.

For what it’s worth, Aldridge is currently No. 13 in the NBA in Win Shares per 48 minutes—a sign that he’s been instrumental in San Antonio reaching a mark of 41-8 through 49 games.

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