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NBA Player Power Rankings: Ex-Teammates Dominate

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) react after a play against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) react after a play against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Early in the 2016-17 NBA regular season, a number of players are making early cases for awards and accolades. Who have been the Top 20 players thus far?

Nov 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) react after a play against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) react after a play against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016-17 NBA regular season is shaping up to be one of the most historic campaigns in league history. Multiple players are rewriting the expectations of their position and a select few are producing at a historic rate.

There’s no telling how the rest of the season will play out, but in order to accurately name an MVP, it’s important to monitor the progress of the league’s elite on a weekly basis.

A week ago, James Harden edged out Chris Paul for the No. 1 spot on the first edition of the 2016-17 NBA Player Power rankings. It was a battle between the most statistically prolific player in the NBA—at that time—and the player who had the best net rating in the Association.

When former teammates dueled this past week, however, the war for the No. 1 spot introduced a new foe to the frenzy.

The race for MVP is more of a marathon; it’s an evaluation of a full season’s work and impact. The opening month can set the tone for teams and players alike, however, and there are quite a few athletes who are making early cases for consideration.

Whether they’re at the top of the list or at the back end of the Top 20, the following players are off to extraordinary starts to the season.