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NBA Player Power Rankings: MVP Candidates Continue To Clash

By Maxwell Ogden

January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 120-108. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 120-108. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Small Forward
Age: 32 (12/30/1984)
Experience: 14th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .515/.371/.701
2016-17 Season Averages: 37.1 MPG, 25.5 PPG, 8.3 APG, 7.8 RPG, 1.4 ORPG, 1.4 SPG, 1.7 3PM

LeBron James continues to be overwhelmingly efficient and incredibly versatile. He was shut down by Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and the Golden State Warriors, but that was one of his rare performances that didn’t qualify as elite.

James is still one of the best players in the NBA and will continue to be one of the top candidates for MVP until season’s end.

James began this past week with a beautiful display of his proficiency as a facilitator. He picked up 16 points and 15 assists on 6-of-12 shooting in a 120-108 win over the Sacramento Kings that further established James as the gold standard for the NBA’s playmakers.

As a result of his continued dominance on the court, James was named to the All-Star Game for the 13th time in his illustrious career.

James was held to 6-of-18 shooting and committed six turnovers against the Warriors, which is why he slides to No. 4. Fortunately, he turned things around with 21 points and 15 assists against the Phoenix Suns.

James is still the best player in the world, even if he hasn’t been the best player during the 2016-17 NBA regular season.