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NBA Player Power Rankings: Russell Westbrook Pushing for MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) advances the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) advances the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Rank: No. 2

Position: Small Forward

Slash Line: .510/.293/.723

Season Averages: 35.6 MPG, 25.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the process of developing an identity as a team. That’s a very troubling sign considering the Cavaliers have just eight games remaining on the regular season schedule.

It’s also a telling sign of just how influential LeBron James is to a team that’s 30 games above .500.

Over the past two seasons, the Cavaliers have gone 101-38 when James plays and 4-13 when he doesn’t. Those numbers accurately depict Cleveland as a team that’s elite when The King is active, and downright atrocious when he isn’t.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are phenomenal talents, and Tristan Thompson is being paid like one, but Cleveland is a lottery team without James.

This past week, James scored 30 points on 13-of-16 shooting, and the Cavaliers still managed to lose to the lowly Brooklyn Nets. He responded by ripping off 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks, and a steal on 10-of-21 shooting in a seemingly effortless manner during a win over the New York Knicks.

Two players are having a better 2015-16 season than James, but there aren’t two players better than he in the NBA.

Next: First in NBA History