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NBA Player Power Rankings: Damian Lillard for MVP?

By Maxwell Ogden

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
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 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrates after making a three-point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Timberwolves 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrates after making a three-point shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Timberwolves 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Last Rank: No. 13

Position: Point Guard

Age: 29

Slash Line: .429/.390/.862

Season Averages: 36.9 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 6.4 APG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 2.8 3PM

The Toronto Raptors are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and Kyle Lowry is the best player on the roster. He’s one of the team’s go-to scorers, the primary facilitator, one of the top rebounders, and has been the defensive anchor from the point guard position.

With Top 10 rankings in both offensive and defensive efficiency, Toronto’s success and Lowry’s individual value combine to earn him a spot just outside of the Top 10 overall.

Lowry’s most recent week was one of his best to date. He dropped 27 points and eight assists in a loss to the Chicago Bulls, and responded by leading Toronto to three consecutive wins, starting with his 18-point and seven-assist performance against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Lowry went on to tally 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists on 7-of-13 shooting against the New York Knicks, and had 21 points and six assists during a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Lowry’s numbers don’t always jump off the page, but the advanced metrics accurately illustrate his value. He’s No. 6 in the NBA in both Win Shares and Real +/-, and is No. 7 in Win Shares per 48 minutes.

Lowry may not be a household name, and his numbers don’t quite pop like other players’ in this range, but he’s been one of the best in the NBA in 2015-16.

Next: The Point God