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 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) takes a three-point shot against Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) in the second half of the Raptors 98-85 win at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

20. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Last Rank: No. 19

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .446/.349/.838

Season Averages: 36.2 MPG, 23.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 3PM

The Toronto Raptors are off to a scorching start at 38-18 overall, 20-6 at home, and 18-12 on the road. He’s shooting 34.9 percent from beyond the arc, which marks just the second time in his career that he’s ever eclipsed 30.0 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Along with the fact that DeRozan is averaging a career-high 23.5 points and 4.0 assists, 2015-16 has been his true emergence as a genuine star.

Thus far in 2015-16, DeRozan is No. 9 in the NBA in points per game and No. 13 in Win Shares. That’s significant considering Toronto’s 38-18 record is good for No. 2 in the Eastern Conference and No. 5 in the NBA.

This most recent week was a demonstration of just how far DeRozan has come as a player.

After starting out slow, he recorded 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting in a 122-95 blowout victory over the New York Knicks. Two days later, DeRozan dropped 31 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field in a 114-105 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now a two-time All-Star, DeRozan holds onto his place in the Top 20 on the NBA Player Power Rankings.

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