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NBA Power Rankings: Top 20 Players Heading Into 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) defends at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 117-110. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) defends at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 117-110. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Position: Power Forward
Age: 27 (3/16/1989)
Experience: 7th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .480/.227/.749
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.7 MPG, 21.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.0 ORPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG

Keeping Blake Griffin entirely off of this list would be criminal based on how well he’s played in 2016-17. Had he not suffered an injury that will require him to miss more than a month of action, he’d be in the Top 15.

Griffin has resided in the 10-to-12 range for most of this season, and it’s only fair that he be included as an honorable mention despite his injury.

Griffin is casually overlooked in the, “Elite players,” discussion, but he’s played a prominent role in the Los Angele Clippers being perennial contenders. One could argue they aren’t true contenders due to their second-round limitations, but but they’re always in the running.

For perspective on how valuable he is to the Clippers’ success, they’re 19-7 when Griffin plays in 2016-17 and 3-5 when he doesn’t.

Once Griffin returns from his current injury, he’ll likely make an immediate return to the player power rankings. He has a unique skill set in that he can go to the post, excel from midrange, handle the ball in transition, and facilitate the offense.

Griffin’s injury is unfortunate, but if he comes back strong, he should help the Clippers return to contending status.