NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Stars And Snubs Form The Top 20

20 of 21

Jan 11, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during a game between the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Rockets 119-105. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

2. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Position: Point Guard
Age: 27 (7/26/1989)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .447/.345/.855
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.6 MPG, 28.6 PPG, 11.6 APG, 8.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 3.0 3PM

The Houston Rockets are 19 games above .500 and there isn’t a second player on the roster who deserves All-Star consideration. Daryl Morey put together an intriguing team, but the success and failure of the Rockets depends entirely on James Harden.

Houston has lost three of its past four games, but Harden’s MVP case is stronger than just one week of lackluster play.

Harden posted 17 points and 13 assists, but attempted just 13 shots and committed seven turnovers during a loss to the Golden State Warriors. He posted 26 points and 10 assists, but attempted just 10 shots and committed 11 turnovers during a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Harden then recorded 30 points and 10 assists, but shot 6-of-18 from the field, 2-of-11 from 3-point range, and committed seven turnovers during a loss to the Boston Celtics.

Sprinkled in between those three disappointing performances was a masterful showing against the Memphis Grizzlies. He put up 29 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and an 11-of-12 mark from the free throw line.

For all of the brilliant work that he does from a statistical perspective, what’s most impressive about Harden is how he continues to win his team games.