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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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Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a basket late in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a basket late in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Damian Lillard

22.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.7 RPG, 22.6 PER

Well, it’s all on Damian Lillard’s shoulders now!

LaMarcus Aldridge is out with a thumb injury, and his return is up in the air right now.

Lillard has struggled over the last five games, as the Portland Trail Blazers have also started to feel Robin Lopez’s absence. Over that stretch, Portland is 1-4 with all four losses coming against other playoff teams in the West. That’s no excuse, but the Blazers are seriously hurting right now, and that pressure is now on Lillard’s shoulders to buck this trend.

In those five games, Lillard is averaging 21 points on 35 percent shooting and 5.2 assists per game. As Lillard plays without Aldridge and other key members of the Blazers supporting cast, he’ll get used to defenses playing him as the No.1 option and adjust his game accordingly.

Without Aldridge against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, Lillard played one of his worst offensive games of the season. He scored 21 points, but he only made 6-of-22 shots in 41 minutes of action. He also dished out six assists, if you’re looking for that silver lining.

Right now, Lillard is having a really difficult time. Hopefully, he’ll become used to leading the charge because I have a really bad feeling about Aldridge’s injury.

As a Blazers fan, I’M FREAKING OUT!

Next: Jeff Teague

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