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NBA Player Power Rankings: The MVP At The 2016-17 Midway Point

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) hugs Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) after the Rockets defeated the City Thunder at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) hugs Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) after the Rockets defeated the City Thunder at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts to a play against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bulls 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts to a play against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Bulls 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Position: Power Forward
Age: 31 (2/10/1985)
Experience: 11th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .437/.314/.756
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.9 MPG, 17.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.6 ORPG, 3.8 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.1 3PM

A number of players were in the running for the No. 20 spot on this list. That includes Mike Conley, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, C.J. McCollum, and Kemba Walker, but the winner of the final spot is the player who has the Atlanta Hawks thriving again.

Dennis Schröder has been the hottest player on the Hawks, but Atlanta still lives and dies by the contributions of power forward Paul Millsap.

Schroder has averaged 20.0 points, 6.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 3-point field goals made during Atlanta’s seven-game winning streak. He’s averaging 20.8 points and 7.0 assists on a slash line of .504/.397/.838 over the past 21 games.

What Schroder does on offense is made possible by what Millsap does to cover up his flaws on defense, however, and that simply cannot be overlooked.

Atlanta is 22-16 and, despite the fact his shot hasn’t been falling, Millsap has influenced every result. Thus far in 2016-17, the Hawks have net ratings of +5.2 with Millsap on the court—the best mark on the team—and -8.5 when he isn’t—the worst mark on the team.

Coupled with his No. 11 ranking in Real Plus-Minus and the fact he poured in 32 points and 13 rebounds during a win over the San Antonio Spurs, Millsap is back in the Top 20.