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; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (3) defends during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Rank: No. 3

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .502/.276/.719

Season Averages: 35.8 MPG, 24.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.1 3PM

No matter how you may feel about the David Blatt firing, one conclusion is objective: the Cleveland Cavaliers are thriving under new head coach Tyronn Lue. Since Lue took over the main sidelined duties, Cleveland is 11-3, including 11 wins in its past 13 games.

He’s been less aggressive as a scorer, but LeBron James has been the catalyst to everything positive in Cleveland with a stronger emphasis on defense and facilitating.

During those 14 games, James has upped his average to 7.9 assists per game—a number that would be good for No. 6 in the NBA. He has three double-doubles and a triple-doubles over the course of his six most recent outings, and continues to shoot above 50 percent from the field.

Beyond the numbers, James is back to leading his team to victories.

For the second time in as many battles, James thoroughly outplayed Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The numbers can tell whichever story you’d like them to, but he went toe-to-toe with two of the league’s elite and paced his team to victory.

25 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals are impressive statistics, but even those numbers fail to do James’ dominance justice.

Next: The Defending MVP