NBA Player Power Rankings: Damian Lillard for MVP?

Feb 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 112-104 at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard finished the game with 34 points. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 19, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets won 116-100. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

12. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Last Rank: No. 9

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .429/.349/.866

Season Averages: 37.4 MPG, 28.3 PPG, 7.0 APG, 6.3 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 2.8 3PM

James Harden is one of the most productive players in the NBA. He scores at an elite rate, posts tremendous assist numbers for a player at his position, and even manages to pull down a high number of rebounds.

The best way to describe Harden’s greatness in 2015-16 is by calling it what it is: individual greatness.

After establishing himself as a leader during his first three seasons with the Houston Rockets, Harden seems to have lost the hold he had on the locker room. His scoring exploits are tremendous, and his assist numbers are high, but there is no cohesion in Houston’s locker room.

That falls on the head coach, but it also lands on one of the most ball-dominant players in the NBA.

Harden’s usage rate of 32.2 percent is ridiculous. Even that fails to illustrate how Harden-centric Houston’s offense is, as the ball generally finds The Bearded One’s hands and then disappears until he’s ready to make a play—a great way to prevent a motion offense from ever being properly executed.

An inefficient and turnover-prone playmaker, and a defensive liability, Harden simply can’t be classified as a Top 10 player in 2015-16.

Next: The Underrated Star