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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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Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers talks with guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Clippers defeated the Hornets 113-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers talks with guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Clippers defeated the Hornets 113-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Blake Griffin

23.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.0 APG, 22.7 PER

Here comes Blake Griffin in the MVP discussion!

Kind of…

Right now, Griffin is still on the outside looking in at Steph Curry, James Harden, and even LeBron James.

Over his last five games, Griffin is averaging 26.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. During that same stretch, Griffin is also shooting 53 percent from the field.

If the Clippers can start winning more games and playing dominant basketball, like most people expected them to this season, it will be because Griffin makes that next big step.

Other teams have flaws, but the Clippers have a huge hole in the small forward position. Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford are not good enough defenders to stop the great players in the league.

Griffin has the size and athleticism to stop players, like LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Although both players are much quicker than Griffin, he’s got to find some way to cover those types of players.

If he can, the Clippers have a shot at the title. If not, well, they’ll keep doing what they’re doing now.

Next: Kevin Durant

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