1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
While it has become apparent that James has taken a step back-however slight-he remains the best player in the NBA. Even after missing several weeks for the first time in his career due to injury, The King is a top candidate for the league MVP once again. He continues to put up numbers that have been typical over the course of his career. James is second in the NBA with 26.1 points per game, to go along with 5.4 rebounds per game and 7.4 assists per game, which tops Kyrie Irving for best on the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is also shooting near fifty percent from the floor. On a Cavaliers team that has limped around all season while struggling to find an identity among an influx of offseason acquisitions, James has been the one constant. Still the best player in the league, the words "far and away" must be used cautiously with younger talents emerging hot on his tail. Nonetheless, LBJ comes in at number one on the power rankings.
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
A likely favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, Davis has been a monster on both sides of the floor. Averaging near three blocks per game, The Brow is a terrifying force in the post. Shutting down most opposing big men, Davis also discourages most guards from driving anywhere near him. Also a majority contributor to the New Orleans Pelicans' offense, Davis is fourth in the NBA with 24.5 points per game to go along with 10.4 rebounds per game. By far the most dominant big man in the league, The Brow is headed for a historic career among the game's greats in the paint. He is currently the most efficient player in the NBA (30.9) and he is only 21 years old.
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The Mario of the Splash Brothers, Curry has already set historic marks in his young career. He was the quickest and youngest player in NBA history to make 1,000 three-pointers. This achievement was preceded by Curry setting the mark for most threes in a single season. The silky-smooth point guard thrives beyond the arc, where he shoots over forty percent for the season. By far the biggest name in this year's three-point competition, Curry is following a path similar to the best three-point shooters in NBA history in Ray Allen and Reggie Miller. But the Golden State Warriors point guard can score from nearly every spot on the floor, exercising a pretty pull-up floater while driving to the basket. He is also fifth in the NBA averaging 8.1 assists per game, facilitating a Warriors offense that is filled mostly by players that have been recognized as Curry's teammates. If scoring 51 points in a comeback victory against the Dallas Mavericks won't convince you that Curry is a top-three player in the NBA, then maybe his gap-toothed smirk will.
4. James Harden, Houston Rockets
Harden has exploded in the absence of Dwight Howard. He has been the strongest scorer in the league, averaging a career best 27 points per game. Harden continues to prove to the Oklahoma City Thunder that he would have been worth the price, emerging as a top five player in the league for the Rockets. He has a strong supporting cast, but has not been stopped even when Howard has been out of the lineup. Without Harden, the Rockets would likely not be a playoff team. With Harden, they are the third-best team in a beastly Western Conference. He averages nearly 7 assists per game and over five rebounds per game. The Beard is back and continues to find success with his aggressive play, unafraid to drive to the hoop and draw contact.
5. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
The former first overall pick has embodied the Power Forward position since he entered the league. Griffin has been a great fit in Lob City. He has a great playmaking ability above the rim, but can score with a jump shot, forcing defenders to contest around the perimeter. Shooting nearly fifty percent from the field, Griffin is a top-ten scorer, averaging 22.5 points per game. He presents a tough matchup for most opponents and is also a solid defender, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game. While Chris Paul is the most recognized Los Angeles Clipper, he and the rest of the team would likely struggle if it weren't for Blake Griffin.
6. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
A score-hungry point guard, Westbrook has taken a lot of heat for shooting most of his team's shots instead of distributing the ball. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder veteran is averaging 7.5 assists per game while ranking third in the NBA with 25.4 points per game. After an early injury, Westbrook returned with a "something-to-prove" attitude and has kept the Thunder's heads above water while Kevin Durant has struggled to stay healthy. He is still an incredibly quick athlete, leading the league in steals with 2.2 per game. It may be challenging to call Westbrook the best point guard in the NBA, but it is also hard to argue that he isn't one of the best scorers in the league.
7. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
A player that has had an incredibly consistent career, Paul continues to be a top point guard in this league. He is third behind John Wall and Ty Lawson with 9.5 assists per game. Paul has a season high of 17 assists and has recorded one triple-double. The State Farm agent loves to help his teammates, but always seems to surprise opponents as well as spectators with his ability to put the ball in the hoop. Paul is averaging 17.6 points per game this season, sinking nearly 40 percent of his shots from three-point range. He also ranks among the best defending point guards, averaging near two steals per game.
8. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
An injury-riddled season has dropped the reigning MVP down in the rankings, but a 25.1 points-per-game average over 22 games is enough to keep him in the top ten. It is clear that Durant has barley been healthy at any point this season, yet his sharp shooting has not diminished. Playing in less than half of the games this season, Durant has shot 51 percent from the floor and nearly 40 percent from three-point range. But while his scoring average is down, the eighth-year veteran's rebounding and assist numbers are around par-a compliment to his well-rounded style of play. If Durant can stay healthy, he could not only lead the Thunder to the playoffs, but he could also move up the rankings and make a comeback run at a second MVP.
9. Damian Lillard, Portland Blazers
After coming out of nowhere several seasons ago, Lillard has become one of the league's premier point guards. While his statistics have never been dominant, Lillard has proved to be a top-ten player. A big reason why the Portland Trail Blazers are a top team in the NBA, the third-year guard out of Weber State works hard to get the ball and provides a great distraction for opposing teams that allows his teammates to get open looks. Calm, cool, and collected when he has the ball, Lillard can pass or shoot with style. If his dagger in the playoffs last year wasn't enough proof that he can play with the big boys, check out some of the undersized point guard's dunks over the course of this season. His playmaking ability will truly be tested when (if) LaMarcus Aldridge heads to the sideline for surgery on his thumb. With 21.5 points per game and 6.3 assists per game, Lillard's numbers do not do his play justice. Perhaps a reason Lillard was snubbed from the All-Star game, voters are not seeing the value of this rising star.
10. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
One of the best defensive players in the game, a healthy Gasol has proved to be a game-changer for the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol truly emerged as a top post player in the league and a big reason why the Memphis Grizzlies are currently second in the Western Conference standings after a red-hot start to the season. Another tremendous two-way player, Gasol is averaging 18.7 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. The seventh-year Spaniard averages near two blocks per game, which includes a game-saving block at the buzzer in a recent win over the Phoenix Suns. He has also approached ten assists in a single game on multiple occasions. A great team player, Gasol is the star on a balanced Grizzlies team that specializes in defense. The former Defensive Player of the Year will once again make a run at the award and has continued his success among tough competition.