NBA teams
Chris Broussard, ESPN Senior Writer 8y

Russell Westbrook catapults past LeBron, Kawhi and KD

NBA

There are only two weeks left in the regular season, the MVP award has had Steph Curry's name engraved on it for months, and even the Warriors' push for 73 wins might become a bit anticlimactic, but no worries -- there was drastic movement in the Player Power Rankings.

LeBron James' self-imposed drama, Russell Westbrook's triple-double barrage and Kawhi Leonard's injury absence conspired to create unprecedented upheaval in the top five.

But that's not all.

Last summer's hottest free agent continued to climb the charts, jumping eight spots since the PPR's debut five weeks ago. A former MVP candidate fell out of the top 10, and Atlanta's winning ways got a Hawk rewarded.

It bears repeating that this is not an MVP list, a rating of the league's best players, or whom I'd start a team with. This is about which players are having the best campaigns this season.

There's plenty to debate so peep the rankings and bring your best arguments.

Note: MVP odds from Ladbrokes.com


1. Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors
RPM: 9.41 (No. 1)
MVP betting odds: 1-100
Previous rank: No. 1 

Can it be called a slump when it lasts only three days? Steph followed up last week's scare -- 28 percent shooting in a two-game stretch -- with consecutive 33-point outings. So, no, he's not tired. No, defenses haven't figured him out. No, it wasn't all a dream. The video game continues.

And the thing you love most about it is that even as Steph marches toward a historic season, his teammates (more on that later) are able to maximize their abilities as well.


2. Russell Westbrook

Oklahoma City Thunder
RPM: 8.30 (No. 4)
MVP odds: 22-1
Previous rank: No. 5 

Russ was ranked No. 6 only two weeks ago, but with his incredible run of triple-doubles -- which, more important, led to improved play for the Thunder -- Westbrook simply can't be denied. His seven triple-doubles in March tied Michael Jordan's NBA mark for most in a month, and his 16 this season are one shy of matching Magic Johnson's record for the most in the past 30 years.

All that at 6-feet-3. Better yet, the streaking Thunder -- winners of eight straight -- are 16-0 when he goes 3D.


3. LeBron James

Cleveland Cavaliers
RPM: 8.13 (No. 5)
MVP odds: 90-1
Previous rank: No. 2 

LeBron actually had a tremendous week as far as his play goes, but all the unnecessary drama via social media and the negative histrionics after teammate errors on the court just isn't helping the Cavs. His play alone is great enough to make them a contender and get them to the NBA Finals, but the extra stuff can be a drain on teammates.

He's still arguably the best player in the world, but part of that title is figuring out how to mesh with his All-Star caliber teammates.


4. Kevin Durant

Oklahoma City Thunder
RPM: 6.09 (No. 8)
MVP odds: 22-1
Previous rank: No. 3 

Only Westbrook's run at the triple-double record (post-merger, of course -- word to Oscar Robertson!) could overshadow KD's stellar week. He nearly notched a couple of 3Ds himself, going for 34, 8 and 8 in a rout at Toronto and falling one assist and two rebounds shy against Utah.

And get this: the Thunder -- with Serge Ibaka, Enes Kanter and Steven Adams -- are by far the league's top rebounding team. Guess who leads them? That's right: KD at 8.3 per game.


5. Kawhi Leonard

San Antonio Spurs
RPM: 9.06 (No. 2)
MVP odds: 22-1
Previous rank: No. 4 

He has been out a week because of a bruised quad, but before going down he led the Spurs in a demolition of the otherwise surging Heat by posting 32 points and eight rebounds. In that game, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all failed to score in double figures.


6. Chris Paul

Los Angeles Clippers
RPM: 7.40 (No. 6)
MVP odds: 200-1
Previous rank: No. 6

ESPN Stats & Info revealed last week that since Blake Griffin was injured, CP3 has essentially been a one-man show.

With him on the floor, the Clippers have matched Golden State for the league's most potent offense (even sans Griffin). With him off the floor, they have had the absolute worst offense in the NBA. That's a heavy burden to bear and his individual numbers have dropped a bit lately.


7. Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers
RPM: 1.76 (No. 68)
MVP odds: 200-1
Previous rank: No. 7

Lillard can relate to Chris Paul. Sure, he has the league's top candidate for most improved player, C.J. McCollum, to help him out, but besides that, the cupboard is largely bare in Portland.

Still, he has the Blazers ahead of a healthy Rockets team and within striking distance of cascading Memphis for the fifth playoff spot in the West. He might finish in the top five for MVP voting.


8. LaMarcus Aldridge

San Antonio Spurs
RPM: 2.00 (No. 58)
MVP odds: N/A
Previous rank: No. 9 

He has gone for 30-plus in his past two games and has made more than 90 percent of his free throws in the past three months. During an era in which big men and mid-range jumpers are being undervalued, the 6-11 Aldridge is thriving with money 16-footers, whether turnaround or face-up.

As the Spurs' big three settles into its twilight, Aldridge and Leonard might be the league's best big two.


9. Kyle Lowry

Toronto Raptors
RPM: 7.35 (No. 7)
MVP odds: 200-1
Previous rank: No. 8 

After missing one game because of his sore right elbow, he returned to tough it out, but the results haven't been pretty. Clearly hampered, Lowry has made only 24 percent of his shots in averaging 13.3 points in his past three games. Not coincidentally, the Raptors posted two losses.

Lowry doesn't want to sit -- and perhaps rest won't help -- but Toronto needs to get him right to have any hope of making a deep playoff run.


10. Paul George

Indiana Pacers
RPM: 5.13 (No. 15)
MVP odds: 150-1
Previous rank: No. 11 

George displayed all his versatility in a recent victory over Houston, sinking four 3-pointers, hitting midrange Js and scoring inside on nifty back cuts. Of course, what separates him from many of the league's other greats is his excellence on both ends of the floor.

Not many expected him to lead the Pacers to the playoffs in his first full year back from injury. With the way he's playing, they could win a series.

The next 10

11. Draymond Green | PF | Golden State Warriors

Mr. Versatility has regained his shooting touch, hitting 50 percent of his shots in March.

Previous rank: No. 13 

12. Klay Thompson | SG | Golden State Warriors

The underrated Thompson averaged 37.3 points and shot 57 percent from 3-point range during the past week.

Previous rank: No. 15 

13. James Harden | SG | Houston Rockets

His fall from the top 10 is based not only on his poor defense but also his inability to come close to maximizing the abilities of Dwight Howard.

Previous rank: No. 10 

14. Hassan Whiteside | C | Miami Heat

He's improving literally game-by-game, and the Heat are getting scarier and scarier for Eastern Conference playoff opponents.

Previous rank: No. 18 

15. John Wall | PG | Washington Wizards

One of only two players -- Westbrook is the other, but Paul is close -- to average 20 points and 10 assists this season. Still, failing to make the playoffs would put a dent in his armor.

Previous rank: No. 12 

16. DeMarcus Cousins | C | Sacramento Kings

Whether its Cousins or others who are the problem in Sacramento, let's just hope it gets fixed, because this guy could be special. He's making this list on talent and numbers alone.

Previous rank: No. 16 

17. Paul Millsap | PF | Atlanta Hawks

He has been underrated for years -- probably by me, too -- but he leads the Hawks in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals.

Previous rank: N/A 

18. Isaiah Thomas | PG | Boston Celtics

He has led the Celtics in scoring 13 straight games, equaling Larry Bird's franchise record. Any time you tie Bird, you get love in our rankings.

Previous rank: No. 19 

19. Dwyane Wade | SG | Miami Heat

Forget his numbers, which are still All-Star worthy. His leadership, professionalism and demeanor have the Heat threatening to disrupt the East playoffs.

Previous rank: N/A 

20. DeMar DeRozan | SG | Toronto Raptors

He has had a great season, but let's see if he can carry the Raptors while Lowry's elbow heals.

Previous rank: No. 17 

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