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 /

3 of 21

Oct 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots from the foul line during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 104-72. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Position: Power Forward
Age: 31 (2/10/1985)
Experience: 11th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .430/.360/.721
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.6 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 4.1 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.1 3PM

The Atlanta Hawks have compiled an intriguing roster that could finally give the Cleveland Cavaliers some measure of trouble. Dwight Howard is still a force in the middle and Dennis Schröder is showing signs of future stardom.

It’s still Paul Millsap, however, who is criminally underrated and under-appreciated as the driving force behind Atlanta’s success.

The beauty of Millsap’s game is that he does a little bit of everything—literally. For example, Millsap tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, one steal, and two 3-point field goals made in a 115-107 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

In the previous two games, Millsap stepped up as a scorer with 21 points in the win over the Cleveland Cavaliers—the first game Cleveland lost after starting 6-0.

Millsap also tallied 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and five steals during a win over the Houston Rockets. All in all, it’s been another brilliant year for the three-time All-Star who received his first All-Defensive Team nod in 2016-17.

In his 11th NBA season, Millsap is leading a 6-2 Hawks team that has a legitimate opportunity to make noise in the Eastern Conference.