Hoops Habit
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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; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Rank: No. 2

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .506/.287/.721

Season Averages: 35.6 MPG, 24.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM

LeBron James is looking like LeBron James again, and that is the worst sentence the rest of the NBA could possibly read. He’s dominating in multiple phases of the games, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory, and going into championship mode.

Many will criticize him, but James has led teams to five consecutive NBA Finals appearances, and that’s the only necessary response.

James began the week in a deferential role, recording 18 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in a win over the Orlando Magic. He then posted 26 points in a blowout loss to the Miami Heat, which seemed to spark his return to being King James.

James brutalized the Denver Nuggets for 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, and wasn’t much nicer to the Milwaukee Bucks.

If James plays with this level of aggressiveness throughout the playoffs, the Cavaliers will be more legitimate of contenders than many expect them to be. He’s still the most physically dominant perimeter player in the NBA, and two championship rings suggest he can win it all.

The Western Conference has a full gauntlet of genuine championship contenders, but if James is able to play up to his expected level of greatness, anything is possible.

Next: Still No. 1