Old School Power Rankings

Old School Power Rankings 2018-19: Weeks 17-18

White-hot Lou Williams climbs to No. 2, pair of point guards make sizeable jumps and Marc Gasol barely hanging on

Order, for the most part, has been restored. The King has again asserted a comfortable position atop his throne.

As for everyone else, a certain shooting guard in Hollywood has caught fire and doesn’t appear to be cooling anytime soon. We’re also keeping a close watch on a pair of gritty point guards who seem to be rounding into form for the stretch run. Is there enough time for either to ascend into the top three?

Meanwhile, a 2019 “All-Star” guard in his final season is picking up his play and may be able to crack the list soon, which would make for a nice little OSPR sendoff.

  • NOTE: Statistics are through games of Feb. 21
  • Any player who turns 32 during regular season can be added to rankings.
  • Check out previous rankings

1. LeBron James (34), Los Angeles Lakers

Previous rank: 1

Latest stats: 3 games, 25.0 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 10.3 apg

Season stats: 26.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 7.6 apg

Despite shooting just 45.8 from the field (and an even uglier 4-for-22 from deep) over the last three games, James holds onto the top spot thanks to his production across the board. In two of three games, he scored 28 or more, snatched 11 or more boards and dished out six or more assists. In addition, the 16 assists Tuesday were James’ most since handing out 17 on March 21, 2018.

2. Lou Williams (32), LA Clippers

Previous rank: 3

Latest stats: 3 games, 30.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 6.7 apg

Season stats: 19.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.3 apg

Just nine days after setting a season high with 39 points, Williams struck again, pouring in a new season-high 45. In fact, he has eclipsed the 30-point barrier five times in the last 11 games. Over that span, he’s been doing more than just scoring, dishing out six or more assists eight times. He’s also managed six double-doubles this season after seven all of last season and just three in 12 previous seasons.

3. LaMarcus Aldridge (33), San Antonio Spurs

Previous rank: 2

Latest stats: 2 games, 18.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.0 apg

Season stats: 21.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.6 apg

The shooting was off (41.9 from the field), but Aldridge managed to pocket back-to-back double-doubles. He’s now gone for 10 or more rebounds in seven of the last nine games. And his 9.0 rpg this season mark Aldridge’s best since 2014-15, when he averaged 10.2. In addition to the nice board work, Aldridge has gone for 20 or more points in seven of the last nine.

4. J.J. Redick (34), Philadelphia 76ers

Previous rank: 6

Latest stats: 5 games, 19.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.0 apg

Season stats: 18.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.8 apg

Make it now 55 straight games of double-figure scoring for Redick, who continues to be one of the most consistent OSPR players. The last five games were no exception: 50.8 percent overall shooting, 48.6 percent from beyond the arc and scoring 13-21 points in 4-of-5 games. So why did he move up two spots? Enter last Friday’s 34-point performance, in which he shot 11-for-15 and 6-for-7 from deep.

5. Kyle Lowry (32), Toronto Raptors

Previous rank: 7

Latest stats: 3 games, 16.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 8.3 apg

Season stats: 14.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 9.2 apg

It looks like Lowry is slowly getting back his shooting touch, going for 48.4 percent overall and 50.0 percent from deep in the last three. In addition to scoring in double figures in seven straight, Lowry has connected on at least three 3-pointers in five straight. Even more impressive is that he’s managed 13 or more assists in two of the last four after going for double-figure assists just once in the previous nine.

6. Rudy Gay (32), San Antonio Spurs

Previous rank: 5

Latest stats: 1 game, 15.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 8.0 apg

Season stats: 14.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.6 apg

Just one game on the docket, but it was a productive one, filling up most of the categories (15 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two 3-pointers and one block) in a win over the Grizzlies. Gay has now scored in double figures in 13 straight with three of those being 20 or more. Over that span, he’s also managed to shoot better than 50 percent eight times.

7. Chris Paul (33), Houston Rockets

Previous rank: 9

Latest stats: 4 games, 18.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 9.3 apg

Season stats: 15.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 8.0 apg

Paul appears to be back to 100 percent — or very close — after turning in four straight games of solid production. In fact, he’s now gone for double-figure scoring in nine straight while eclipsing nine assists in four of the last five. During that span, Paul has also notched three double-doubles after going seven games without one (he missed 18 games with a back injury in between).

8. Al Horford (32), Boston Celtics

Previous rank: 10

Latest stats: 4 games, 16.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 5.8 apg

Season stats: 12.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg

He may have started the stint slowly with a six-point showing, but Horford turned it up considerably in three subsequent games, going for 17 or more points in all three while turning in his two best rebounding efforts of 2018-19 (14 against Detroit and 17 against Milwaukee). Not enough? He’s hit at least two 3-pointers in three straight and has at least one steal in five straight.

9. Trevor Ariza (33), Washington Wizards

Previous rank: Just missed

Latest stats: 4 games, 18.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg

Season stats: 12.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.8 apg

Ariza checks off just about every box over the last four games. Shooting from the field was solid: 54.9 percent. Shooting from beyond the arc was passable: 35.5 percent. Nineteen or more points in three consecutive games was impressive. Seven or more rebounds and five or more assists in two straight was great. In seven February games, Ariza is averaging 16.7 points while shooting 48.9%.

10. Marc Gasol (34), Toronto Raptors

Previous rank: 4

Latest stats: 3 games, 10.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.7 apg

Season stats: 15.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 4.7 apg

This is what happens when you go from 33.7 minutes to just 20. Production takes a hit. That’s especially true for Gasol, -who — despite shooting 52.2 over the last three — has scored more than seven points just once. Also, his high rebounding game so far has been seven. Give him another week and his numbers with the Raptors (10 ppg, 6.3 rpg) will be closer to his Memphis numbers (15.7 and 8.6).

Just missed the cut: Jeff Green, Gerald Green, Paul Millsap, Dwyane Wade

* * *

Send any questions or comments to my email. If it’s good — and clean — it may appear in a future column. Be sure to include your first name and city.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.

Latest