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NBA Player Power Rankings: The Final Push For MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) watches as forward LeBron James (23) drives between Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) and center Frank Kaminsky III (44) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) watches as forward LeBron James (23) drives between Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) and center Frank Kaminsky III (44) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Rank: No. 3

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .514/.293/.728

Season Averages: 35.6 MPG, 25.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a championship contender with LeBron James, and are somewhat helpless without him. That may seem extreme, but the reason James remains in the Top 3 in the midst of a down season is his incomparable impact on the outcome of games.

If James were to play in, “Playoffs mode,” throughout the entire regular season, he’d likely add a fifth MVP award to his tally.

Since switching into playoffs mode, James is averaging 27.1 points, 9.5 assists, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 58.2 percent shooting from the field. During that 10-game stretch, Cleveland is 7-1 when James plays and 0-2 when he doesn’t.

Thus far in 2015-16, Cleveland is 55-19 when James is active and 1-4 when he isn’t.

James’ weakest—no, seriously—performance of that stretch came this past week, when he posted 17 points, nine assists, and five rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting. For perspective, James played 28 minutes during that 29-point blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks.

His other outings over the past seven days: 24 points and 11 assists; 29 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists, and three steals; and 31 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals on 14-of-22 shootings. Wow.

Next: Statistically Legendary