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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 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles around Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Miami 101-81. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles around Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Miami 101-81. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

18. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Last Rank: No. 20

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .446/.312/.841

Season Averages: 36.2 MPG, 23.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG

Entering the 2015-16 regular season, NBA analysts often spoke cautiously about DeMar DeRozan’s, “Stardom.” He scored at a volume which suggested he’d reached the next tier, but his inefficiency and lack of versatility hurt him.

49 games into the 2015-16 regular season, it’d be unjust to credit DeRozan as anything less than one of the Top 20 players in the NBA.

DeRozan’s new reputation is that of a player who can lead his team to victory. After personally excelling during Toronto’s first-round exit from the 2015 NBA Playoffs, DeRozan has come back as more of a leader in 2016.

Most importantly, he’s addressed his most significant of flaws and become a better player because of it.

DeRozan is No. 1 in the NBA in both drives and points off of drives per game—a sign that he’s not settling for as many long 2s. He’s also shooting a career-best 31.2 percent from 3-point range, which is a significant improvement from his career mark of .276.

Coupled with the fact that he’s posting his highest field goal percentage since 2010-11, it’s fair to say that the 26-year-old is finally figuring it all out.

Next: The Source of Stability