NBA Player Power Rankings: Ex-Teammates Dominate

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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Nov 14, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball past Philadelphia 76ers guard Gerald Henderson (12) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

2. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 27 (8/26/1989)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .473/.375/.825
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.8 MPG, 28.5 PPG, 12.8 APG, 8.2 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 3.0 3PM

The Houston Rockets have officially abandoned team basketball and entrusted the burden of their postseason aspirations to James Harden. He’s handling the ball and finishing possessions at a genuinely ridiculous rate of 35.2 percent.

Coming off of three triple-doubles in five games, Harden is well on his way to an all-time season.

After tallying 24 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds the first time around, Harden posted 25 points, 13 assists, and 11 boards in the second meeting. He then recorded 33 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds in 33 minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Harden finished the week on a low note, but he’s off to one of the hottest starts in league history—bar none.

Harden’s value to the Rockets is that he’s the beginning and end of a vast majority of possessions. If he leads Houston to the playoffs, that alone should give him legitimate consideration for the 2017 NBA MVP award.

Coupled with statistics that are on pace to exceed the numerical brilliance of virtually every player since Oscar Robertson, Harden is playing at an MVP-caliber level.