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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 19, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after hitting a three point shot during the third quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard scored 51 points as the Blazers won the game 137-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after hitting a three point shot during the third quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard scored 51 points as the Blazers won the game 137-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Last Rank: No. 14

Position: Point Guard

Age: 25

Slash Line: .427/.372/.862

Season Averages: 36.0 MPG, 25.1 PPG, 7.2 APG, 4.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 3.1 3PM

To quote the immortal Omar Little, “If you come at the king, you best not miss.” On Friday, February 19, Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard didn’t just go at the reigning MVP and the best team in the NBA; he absolutely destroyed Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

In just 31 minutes of court time, Lillard scored 51 points, dished out seven assists, and came up with six steals.

As if routinely exploiting Curry’s defense and getting the reigning MVP into foul trouble weren’t big enough statements, Lillard dropped 51 points and seven assists without committing a single turnover.

In his first game since the All-Star Break, Lillard demolished the player whom many have referred to as the best in the world. It was a signature performance by a player who was snubbed from the All-Star Game in favor of Klay Thompson and a retiring Kobe Bryant.

Lillard didn’t slow down in any of the games that followed, becoming the first player this season to record at least 30 points in five consecutive games.

Most significantly, Lillard has led Portland to 11 wins in its past 12 games. Despite losing Arron Afflalo, LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, and Wesley Matthews this past summer, the 25-year-old has the Trail Blazers at 30-27 and in sole possession of the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference.

If you’re not going to say it, I will: if Lillard maintains this individual pace, and Portland somehow makes the playoffs, he deserves MVP consideration.

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