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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 1, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) runs onto the court prior to the game against the Washington Wizardsw at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) runs onto the court prior to the game against the Washington Wizardsw at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Rank: No. 2

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .459/.287/.814

Season Averages: 34.3 MPG, 24.0 PPG, 10.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM

Statistically speaking, Russell Westbrook is the most awe-inspiring player to grace the NBA since LeBron James’ first Cleveland Cavaliers run. Advanced metrics and new developments may tell a different story, but Westbrook stuffs the stat sheet in unthinkable ways.

Westbrook’s most recent feat: recording 24 points, 19 rebounds, and 14 assists—and no, none of those numbers were recorded during a game of NBA 2K16.

Westbrook’s statistics can be accurately and appropriately defined by any adjective that’s normally classified as hyperbolic. He’s erupting for the type of numbers that are only found in video games, and he’s doing so on a relatively consistent basis.

In three games played over the past week, Westbrook recorded three triple-doubles—a feat that included averages of 22.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 13.0 assists per contest.

Beyond his being a walking triple-double, Westbrook is No. 2 in the NBA in both Player Efficiency Rating and Win Shares. True to his explosive form, the 27-year-old is No. 1 in steals per game, No. 2 in assists per game, and No. 6 in points per game.

Westbrook is on pace to average 24.0 points and 10.0 assists per game—averages last achieved by Michael Adams in 1990-91, Tiny Archibald in 1972-73, and Oscar Robertson in 1966-67.

Next: The Leader of the Pack