LeBron James, perhaps playing at an 'all-time high,' still not 2017-18 NBA MVP - USA TODAY

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts after scoring a basket during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.(Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)

From his historic takeover in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals to his back-to-back 41-point outings in the NBA Finals nine years later, we've seen just about everything at this point in LeBron James' career, haven't we?

Not even close.

James, now 33 and in his 15th season, continues to drop jaws — and on a nightly basis, it seems — during what could very well be the most impressive campaign of his career.

Never in NBA history had a player recorded at least 35 points and 17 assists with zero turnovers in a game. Until James last Wednesday.

Never in NBA history had a player, in their 15th year or later, notched more than three triple-doubles in a season. James has 16. 

Never in NBA history has a player, at age 30 or older, averaged at least 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for a season. James is well on his way.

Asked earlier this month to describe where his game is right now?

"Probably at an all-time high," James said. 

And yet this year's MVP award still belongs to James Harden, whose continued dominance has kept him at the No. 1 spot for the vast majority of the season.

USA TODAY Sports' weekly NBA MVP rankings, as voted on by Sam Amick, Jeff Zillgitt, Michael Singer and AJ Neuharth-Keusch, are below.

5. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Last week's ranking: No. 4

Season stats: 26.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.9 blocks, 52.0% shooting

Durant has missed Golden State's last five games (two wins, three losses) with a rib injury, and though he's already been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Indiana, he should be back on Thursday against Milwaukee. In six March games before going down, Durant was playing some of his best basketball of the season, averaging 31.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks while shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc. 

4. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Last week's ranking: No. 5

Season stats: 26.6 points, 6.5 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 43.8% shooting

The allure of the Blazers' 13-game winning streak is no longer, but after getting back on track Sunday against Oklahoma City, they still have a firm hold on the No. 3 spot in the West. Though Lillard has cooled down after the best stretch of games of his career, he's scored 20 or more points in every game since Feb. 8. 

PHOTOS: Damian Lillard through the years

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3. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Last week's ranking: No. 2

Season stats: 28.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.4 blocks, 53.8% shooting

Davis' Pelicans are still very much alive in the fight for homecourt advantage in the West, just ½ game behind Oklahoma City for the fourth-place spot. While he'll ultimately fall short of the award, make no mistake: This has been the best — and the most important — season of Davis' career.

2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last week's ranking: No. 3

Season stats: 27.5 points, 9.1 assists, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 55% shooting

The main blemish on James' stellar season has been the dysfunction of the Cavs, who have put together one of the rockier campaigns in recent history. They're currently enjoying a five-game winning streak, but at 44-29 and 6 ½ games behind Boston, anything better than a third-place finish to the regular season is out of the question. 

PHOTOS: LeBron James through the years

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1. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Last week's ranking: No. 1

Season stats: 30.7 points, 8.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 44.8% shooting

If Harden leading the Rockets to a franchise-best 60 wins (and counting) and to the No. 1 seed in the West (5 ½ games ahead of Golden State) isn't enough, try this: The Rockets have gone 29-2 since Harden returned from his hamstring strain in mid-January and, perhaps more impressively, are now 39-2 in games in which Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela have played.

Additionally, Harden leads the league in a handful of major statistical categories, including: Scoring, three-pointers made, free-throws made, win shares, real-plus minus and player efficiency rating. He also ranks third in the league in assists.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter @tweetAJNK

 

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