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NBA Player Power Rankings: Stars Getting Hot at Perfect Time

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) greets Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) prior to their game at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) greets Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) prior to their game at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center. The Jazz won 89-87. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center. The Jazz won 89-87. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

10. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Last Rank: No. 12

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .432/.343/.870

Season Averages: 37.8 MPG, 28.5 PPG, 7.4 APG, 6.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 2.7 3PM

At some point in time, one has to stop criticizing James Harden and start feeling for him. His defensive inconsistency is overwhelming, but Harden has been elevating his game on both ends of the floor in recent weeks, and it’s still been to no avail.

Perhaps the Houston Rockets’ struggles aren’t to place on Harden’s shoulders after all.

Harden opened the week with 29 points and 14 assists in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He then tallied 25 points and eight assists in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks, and had 24 points, 16 assists, seven rebounds, and four steals during a 111-107 defeat at the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Harden then flirted with a quadruple-double, tallying 26 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and eight steals in an 89-87 loss to the Utah Jazz.

Harden clearly has his flaws—high turnover totals come to mind—but he’s playing at an all-time level. According to Basketball-Reference.com, only Harden, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James have averaged at least 28.0 points and 7.0 assists since 2009-10.

That’s the type of company that great players keep.

Next: Elite With Him, Lost Without Him