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NBA: Ranking the top 5 West players at the quarter mark of the season

By Tyler Siebert

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 26, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Clippers defeated the Suns 102-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 26, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Clippers defeated the Suns 102-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports) /

NBA West player rankings, No. 2: LeBron James

Prior to this season, the consensus around the league was that LeBron James will have to play himself into shape, or start off slow, as he is coming off his fourth championship and the shortest turnaround from one season to another. People were saying that AD was going to have to carry the Lakers for the first stretch of the season as LeBron gets acquainted.

Well, the opposite has happened, LeBron has been the most durable player in the league. He’s played in every game and has been at the top of his game in year 18. James has been the one carrying the Lakers to this point, as Anthony Davis has not been the top 5 talent we’ve seen him be in the past.

Similar to what I said about Kawhi earlier, LeBron’s stats are great but they are not the full story behind his greatness. He affects the game in so many different ways, and his presence requires so much attention that him just being on the floor gives you an advantage. His basketball IQ is so far ahead of everyone else on the floor as well, so much experience and so much calculation is all of his movements.

LeBron is the king of the, “he’s having kind of a quiet game tonight right?” What I mean by that is the ease with which he plays. You’ll think he’s taking a night off but has 20 points and eight boards going into the fourth quarter with a lead.

Statistically, he’s having a typical LeBron season, which is better than most players to ever play. And he’s in year 18, unbelievable. He’s averaging 25 points, just under eight rebounds, and just under eight assists per game this season. He’s also shooting over 40 percent from 3 which he’s only done one other time in his career, the 2012-13 season in Miami, one of his four MVP seasons.

As far as team success, he’s been available in every single game, and he had Los Angeles as the 1-seed in the West until the Clippers swooped in and grabbed it. Los Angeles is a good offensive team as far as team ppg (111.8 PPG), but where they separate themselves is on the defensive end where they allow the least amount of points per game in the league (104 PPG).

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently the third seed behind the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz. Look for the Lakers to jump up to the 1 or 2 seed as Anthony Davis starts to get going as we go through the rest of the season.

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