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NBA Player Power Rankings: Three-Quarter Season Awards

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) prior to action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) prior to action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

12. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Award: All-NBA Third Team

Last Rank: No. 12

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .433/.343/.867

Season Averages: 37.8 MPG, 29.0 PPG, 7.1 APG, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 2.8 3PM

It’s easy to be disappointed in James Harden for not making his necessary improvements on defense. After all, his fundamentals are solid when he’s focused, and his physical traits permit him to be a lockdown defender, which means it all comes down to effort.

One simply cannot ignore how dominant Harden can be when he’s on his game.

Harden began this week with a performance that perfectly embodied his season thus far. He scored 36 points, but shot just 10-of-26 from the field and 4-of-12 from beyond the arc, and committed nine turnovers to his eight assists.

Harden also had 29 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, but shot just 8-of-26 from the field and went 0-of-8 from 3-point range

As easy as it would be to focus solely on those outings, Harden made a statement against DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors. He posted 40 points and 14 assists to just one turnover on 11-of-20 shooting in a 113-107 road upset of the red-hot Raptors.

The balance of those performances exemplify why Harden is still relevant in the Top 10 discussion, but not quite a member of that exclusive group.

Next: Pursuing a Franchise Record