NBA Player Power Rankings: Change of the Guard

2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Rank: No. 2

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .505/.293/.718

Season Averages: 35.8 MPG, 24.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM

LeBron James continues to take games off for, “Rest,” but that may not be the worst long-term strategy. I’m a member of the group in favor of players aiming to complete all 82 games, but James has more milage on his body than any other player in the NBA, and another rational reason to sit from time to time.

Not only has he made five consecutive NBA Finals appearances—also known as 107 additional games—but he has a supporting cast that hasn’t really been there before.

Key role players such as Timofey Mozgov, J.R. Smith, and Tristan Thompson received their first taste of NBA Finals action in 2015. Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending injury in Game 1, however, and Kevin Love was lost during the first round.

With two of the team’s Top 3 players rather unproven, James resting for key games down the stretch could be the perfect way to prepare them for bigger settings.

That may or may not be James’ motivation, and fatigue is the more likely reason, but he’s returning to performing at an MVP level. He’s playing with a tenacity that wasn’t present during the earlier months of the season, and appears to be accepting of Tyronn Lue’s coaching.

The question is, does James have enough left in the tank to unseat his heavily favored foes in the Western Conference?

Next: MVP