Hoops Habit
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 21
Next
Mar 25, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

14. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs

Last Rank: No. 16

Position: Power Forward

Slash Line: .512/.000/.857

Season Averages: 30.5 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 BPG

The San Antonio Spurs are playing at a dominant level, and LaMarcus Aldridge is performing like himself again. Those two developments coincide with one another, as Aldridge has begun to look like the star he became with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Between his explosive scoring exploits and improved defensive effort, Aldridge has been a force to be reckoned with since the All-Star Break.

In 20 games played since All-Star Weekend, Aldridge is averaging 20.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 blocks on 52.9 percent shooting from the field. He’s done so in just 32.5 minutes of action per game, and has led San Antonio to a record of 17-3 during those outings.

Aldridge may not be producing at the same rate he did in Portland, but his combination of production and efficiency is downright unstoppable.

Aldridge has been a stabilizing force for the Spurs, perfectly complementing Kawhi Leonard offensively. He’s also playing at a high level defensively, which has helped San Antonio build the most dominant team in the league on that end of the floor.

San Antonio is No. 1 in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions and Aldridge is No. 8 in Defensive Win Shares. He’s also No. 9 in overall Win Shares per 48 minutes.

Next: Holding On to No. 8