NBA Player Power Rankings: The Top 20 Players Of 2016-17

Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) and Western Conference guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets (13) during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 22

Apr 8, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives against Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: Point Guard
Age: 26 (7/15/1990)
Experience: 5th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .444/.370/.895
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.9 MPG, 27.0 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.9 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 2.9 3PM

Damian Lillard led the Portland Trail Blazers to what can only be described as an incredible late-season turnaround. Portland was 24-35 entering the month of March, but went 17-6 the rest of the way to secure the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

It’s hard to rank someone in the Top 20 based on a late-season surge, but Lillard earned this ranking with what became a beautifully salvaged season.

During that tremendous run, Lillard averaged 29.4 points, 6.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 3.5 3-point field goals made on a slash line of .460/.402/.890. He put Portland on his back and carried his team through disastrous times.

Lillard certainly wasn’t alone in his brilliant play, but he’s the vocal leader and go-to scorer and playmaker on a Trail Blazers team that made it to the playoffs by refusing to quit.

Lillard may not get an All-NBA nod, but he’s earned the right to be called a star. He set career-highs in points per game, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage, and will now make his fourth consecutive postseason appearance.

Lillard is one of the most ruthless performers in the NBA, and although this wasn’t the smoothest of seasons, his leadership got Portland back into the playoffs.