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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 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) holds the ball as Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) defends at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 111-92. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) holds the ball as Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) defends at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 111-92. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Last Rank: No. 16

Position: Power Forward

Age: 30

Slash Line: .484/.302/.780

Season Averages: 32.3 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 0.8 3PM

The Atlanta Hawks are a team that wins and loses games based on how well its balanced attack performs. The strength-in-numbers approach depends on reserves picking up the slack for occasionally struggling starters, which has worked wonders for the San Antonio Spurs.

Paul Millsap is doing his best to dispute the theory that Atlanta doesn’t have the necessary star power to make a run at a championship.

Millsap, who’s headed to his third career All-Star Game, has been the one player who Atlanta doesn’t have to worry about picking up the slack for. Even when the numbers aren’t there, Millsap’s versatility keeps the opposition honest in all phases—literally.

There isn’t an area of the game in which Millsap doesn’t provide a positive impact for the Hawks.

Millsap’s week included an ankle injury that forced him to leave a game against the Indiana Pacers early. He’s played through the pain, but the lingering effects were clear and the Hawks paid the price with a 2-2 record in four games.

Millsap may not be a household name, but he was as easy a selection for the All-Star Game as they come.

Next: The Curious Case