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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; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Award: All-NBA First Team

Last Rank: No. 2

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .504/.285/.718

Season Averages: 35.9 MPG, 24.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM

LeBron James doesn’t give as thorough an effort during regular season games as he used to. That’s a tough pill to swallow considering James won fans over with his relentless attack that included posterizing dunks and chase-down blocks that helped redefine the standard for transition defense.

When James does choose to go all-out, there isn’t an active player who’s capable of doing the things he does, at the level he does them.

James doesn’t necessarily exceed the contributions of his peers in any one area. It’s the manner in which he combines efficiency, production, and influence in every phase of the game that has turned him into one of the Top 10 players in NBA history.

As he paces himself through another grueling season, another player has opted to go all-out—and that’s why James isn’t No. 1.

James used this past week to remind the general population of what he’s capable of doing. He dropped 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in a blowout of an upset-hungry Boston Celtics team, and had 25 points and 11 boards in a road win over the Sacramento Kings.

This hasn’t been his finest season to date, but it speaks volumes to a player’s ability when they’re coasting to averages of nearly 25 points and seven assists on 50 percent shooting.

Next: The No. 1 Player of 2015-16