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NBA Positional Power Rankings: Mr. 4th Quarter And James Harden’s MVP Push

By Steven Abramo

Jan 11, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives past Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) during the fourth quarter at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 117-108. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives past Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) during the fourth quarter at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 117-108. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts to his three pointer in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won123-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts to his three pointer in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won123-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting Guards

1. James Harden: Only one player in the NBA has amassed more double-doubles than Russell Westbrook this season, and that’s James Harden. On the season, Harden is averaging 28.9 points, 11.3 assists (most in the league), as well as 8.2 rebounds per game.

Since early January, Harden has been a key cog in continuing the Rockets’ push for a top seed in the West, becoming the first player in NBA history to achieve two 50-point triple doubles in a season. With that said, the answer of who is the game’s best shooting guard is simple: he wears No. 13 and sports a beard.

2. DeMar DeRozan: If you have the time, look up the word “consistent” in the dictionary, because you just might find DeMar DeRozan’s name listed there. DeRozan is once again near the top of the league in scoring this season, averaging 27.6 points per game and 30 points through the month of February.

As of late, DeRozan has been forced to take a small uptick in minutes – playing roughly 36 minutes per game the past week following Kyle Lowry’s right wrist injury. DeMar has definitely made the most out of his increase in playing time, registering more rebounds (5.3 per game) and assists (3.8 per game) than what’s he accounted for his entire career.

3. C.J. McCollum: Ignore his team’s record, ignore the supporting cast that he’s surrounded by. Because right now, Portland’s C.J. McCollum is one the game’s most underrated players in the league at his position. And it’s time for him to receive his due.

The Trail Blazers’ starting two-guard is averaging 23.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, all career-highs this season. More so, his progress as a shooter and scorer is a main reason for his insertion into the positional power rankings. McCollum is shooting a career-high 48.4 percent from the field, 51.8 percent on two-pointers, and in addition to that, he accounts for the second most field goals makes (8.8 per game) at his position.