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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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Dec 9, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

8. LaMarcus Aldridge

23.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 22.5 PER

LaMarcus Aldridge is out with a thumb injury, and the first round of MRI tests on the thumb were “inconclusive.”

That’s not good for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Aldridge has been the best power forward in the NBA during the first half of the season. He’s averaging 23.2 points per game on 46 percent shooting for the second-seed in the West.

Aldridge could bring his shooting percentage up a bit. Over the course of his career, he’s a 48 percent shooter. However, Aldridge has stepped into a bigger role this season, covering up for Robin Lopez’s absence and a slumping Nic Batum this season.

If Aldridge is out indefinitely and/or doesn’t return this season, you have to think the Blazers’ goose will be cooked.

I mean, Portland will still have Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews, but it will be tough without their most dynamic offensive player and one of the toughest matchups in the league.

Next: Marc Gasol

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