NBA Player Power Rankings: The Marathon For MVP Begins

Nov 9, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket while guarded by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. The rockets won 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Small Forward
Age: 31 (12/30/1984)
Experience: 14th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .483/.281/.745
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.4 MPG, 22.9 PPG, 9.9 APG, 8.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 3PM

Cleveland Cavaliers legend and Top 10 all-time scorer LeBron James has become a subtle superstar in his early 30s. He’s still capable of powering his way to the rim and dropping 30 points, but he’s shifted his focus to being more of an all-around player.

James has fully embraced the role of a facilitator and the Cavaliers are playing championship-caliber basketball because of it.

Though it’s only been seven games, James is intriguingly close to averaging a triple-double in 2016-17. No player has done that since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62, but James has the physical gifts and court vision to end the drought.

Though he only has one triple-double, James is on his way to being close enough to warrant frontrunner status in the race for MVP—and that’s only a fraction of his value.

Cleveland is 6-1 through seven games with a net rating of +12.7 when James is on the court and -10.3 when he hasn’t. That’s a difference of 23.0 points per 100 possessions, which is remarkable considering the fact that Cleveland is 6-1.

James has MVP value and the statistics to back what’s shaping up to be another legendary season from one of the greatest players of all-time.