NBA Player Power Rankings: Change of the Guard

Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 123-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 14, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) attempts a free throw during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

12. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Last Rank: No. 12

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .431/.341/.866

Season Averages: 37.7 MPG, 28.6 PPG, 7.1 APG, 6.3 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 2.7 3PM

Piling on James Harden appears to be the new trend in the NBA, and he certainly brings a lot of that onto himself. Falling asleep on defense has become a nightly activity for the player who was voted league MVP by the Player’s Association in 2015.

As hard as it is to overlook his defensive inconsistency, it’s absolutely undeniable how brilliant he’s been offensively—at times.

Harden is averaging 28.6 points and 7.1 assists per game, and those numbers are nothing short of outstanding. According to Basketball-Reference.com, the last two players to average at least 28.0 points and 7.0 assists in a single season were Russell Westbrook in 2014-15 and LeBron James in 2009-10.

Love him or hate him, Harden is doing things that very few are even capable of.

Harden has the Houston Rockets back at .500 with a record of 34-34, and he’s been the driving force in both regards. His scoring and facilitating have pushed the Rockets to the point of being able to compete with anyone, but his defense and often reckless play can ostracize his teammates.

Harden is the single most polarizing on-court player in the NBA, and this season has been a shining example of that truth.

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