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Midseason NBA Player Rankings: Steph Curry vs. James Harden

By Bryce Olin

Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) smiles on the court prior to action against the Golden State Warriors at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) smiles on the court prior to action against the Golden State Warriors at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Russell Westbrook

24.9 PPG, 7.4 APG, 6.0 RPG, 28.6 PER

Russell Westbrook made some huge shots down the stretch against Washington on Wednesday, including the game-winning lay-up with 0.8 seconds remaining.

What in the bloody hell were the Wizards doing on this play?

Bradley Beal is pressuring 40-feet from the basket, and then gets beat. Then, no one on the team step up and stop the ball. John Wall and Nene watch Westbrook swoop in for the lay-up. With less than four seconds on the clock, someone has to step over and make Westbrook pass the ball, right?

Talk about a defensive breakdown.

Regardless of Washington’s terrible defense on the last play, Westbrook continues to be one of the best and most exciting players in the league.

Over his last five games, Westbrook is averaging 20.2 points, 9.0 assists, and 8.4 rebounds per game, including a ridiculous triple-double of 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists against the Golden State Warriors.

With performances like that from Westbrook along with Durant’s steady play, the Thunder are positioning themselves nicely for a playoff run down the stretch. Right now, Oklahoma City is three games behind the Phoenix Suns for the eighth seed in the West.

We’ll see what happens.

Next: Damian Lillard

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