Rank |
Player |
Prev. Rank |
Age |
Movement |
Comments |
1. |
|
(1) |
24 |
-- |
The home winning streak is gone, but LeBron is still right on track to win his first MVP award. 28.2 pts, 7.5, reb and 7.1 assists with 15 double-doubles and 3 triple-doubles. He also leads the league in "how in the world do we guard this guy?!" |
2. |
|
(2) |
23 |
-- |
Can you guess which player leads the league in triple doubles this season? Yeah, that's right. CP3. He has five. A recent groin strain has caused Paul to miss four straight games, though, and some are calling for him to skip the All-Star game. |
3. |
|
(3) |
23 |
-- |
With 3 million fan votes, Howard is the most popular All-Star this weekend. Which means that he also has the busiest schedule. Besides playing on Sunday, Dwight will be blogging, competing in the Dunk Contest and coaching in the Rookie-Soph game. |
4. |
|
(7) |
20 |
+3 |
If you haven't seen Durant play this season, you're missing out. He is arguably the best offensive player in the league right now. If you enjoy reading funny, check out this fake Durant blog from before his rookie season. WHAT UP DJ??? |
5. |
|
(4) |
24 |
-1 |
Roy continued his streak of clutch play with a game-winning finger roll against the Knicks. Is there anyone who guard this guy down the stretch? |
6. |
|
(5) |
24 |
-1 |
Bosh recently bowed out of the All-Star Game due to a knee injury, paving the way for overlooked Cavs guard Mo Williams to make an appearance. Big-mouth owner Dan Gilbert can now sleep peacefully again. |
7. |
|
(9) |
24 |
+2 |
Despite a hardcore thigh bruise, D-Will continues to play (and play well). He recently spoiled Chris Webber's jersey retirement by dropping 34 points on the Kings in a 111-107 Jazz victory. |
8. |
|
(6) |
24 |
-2 |
Jefferson's season-ending knee injury couldn't have come at a worse time. Under the tutelege of Kevin McHale, the Wolves had been playing some of their best basketball in years. It's a shame Al Jeff won't be able to continue that streak. |
9. |
|
(8) |
24 |
-1 |
Chauncey Billups' nickname may be "Mr. Big Shot", but evidence shows that Melo is an overwhelmingly better shooter in clutch situations. Looks like B-Roy deserves some company in the Fraternity of Clutch. |
10. |
|
(10) |
23 |
-- |
Smith had a season-high 15 rebounds against the Clippers on Saturday. After a slow return from injury, it looks like J-Smoov has finally begun to regain his defensive swagger. |
11. |
|
(18) |
20 |
+7 |
Of D-Rose Mavs coach Rick Carlisle says, "His impact on the team is tremendous...He has a lot of qualities of a lot of the great ones." With Mayo's decline, Rose is primed for Rookie of the Year honors. |
12. |
|
(12) |
23 |
-- |
Aldridge admitted recently that he prefers having Greg Oden in the lineup so he doesn't have to guard big men like Erick Dampier. It goes without saying that Aldridge isn't a banger, but does admitting it make him soft? |
13. |
|
(20) |
22 |
+7 |
Rondo did a tremendous job defending Tony Parker on Sunday, holding Parker to just 7 points on 3-12 shooting, while also dishing out a game-high 16 assists. The Celtics may have lost, but Rondo proved that he's one of the league's best PGs. |
14. |
|
(14) |
23 |
-- |
The wear and tear of starting has begun to take its toll on Millsap. Says Millsap, "the length of the season, the physicality of the game and all the dirty work that I do...I think it's all just taking a toll on me right now." |
15. |
|
(16) |
22 |
+1 |
While Beans rests a sprained ankle, trade rumors swirl around Oakland. Apparently the Warriors are willing to include Biedrins in a potential deal for either Toronto's Chris Bosh or Phoenix's Amar'e Stoudamire. |
16. |
|
(NR) |
23 |
Re-debut |
After rising as high as #13 in last season's rankings, Deng went on a lull and dropped off the list altogether. But now he's back! Thanks to a terrific January, Deng become the first player ever to re-debut in the Top 25 Under 25. |
17. |
|
(13) |
21 |
-4 |
Mayo joins Kevin Durant and Joe Johnson in the inaugural version of All-Star H-O-R-S-E this weekend. If Mayo can duplicate this shot, it's over. O-V-E-R. With Durant in the mix, though, let's just say I won't be putting my money on O.J. |
18. |
|
(17) |
22 |
+1 |
Gay had to pull out of the upcoming Dunk Contest thanks to a strained left hip. The Nuggets' J.R. Smith will take his place. Guess Gay won't be doing that baby dunking routine after all... |
19. |
|
(17) |
22 |
-2 |
Green was instrumental in OKC's recent win over Portland. With 20 points and 9 rebounds, Green outscored LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Fernandez combined. His February averages prove that he is rebounding from a disappointing January. |
20. |
|
(15) |
22 |
-5 |
Like Paul Millsap in Utah, Stuckey is experiencing some midseason burnout. Though he's too much of a competitor to admit it, the numbers don't lie. Two games, 56 minutes played, 14 points, 5 assists. Hello, All-Star break. |
21. |
|
(27) |
20 |
+6 |
Gordon has been playing at a high level since being inserted into the starting lineup in December, so it's nice to see him getting the recognition he deserves. The NBA named Gordon January's Rookie of the Month in the West. |
22. |
|
(21) |
21 |
-1 |
According to the L.A. Times, Bynum's MCL injury is more a product of misfortune than anything else. His knees aren't inherently bad. Bynum is scheduled to return in 8-12 weeks, but don't hold your breath. We all know how his rehab went last year... |
23. |
|
(NR) |
23 |
Debut |
Bargs has filled in admirably for Chris Bosh. After a miserable December, Bargnani averaged 19.8 pts, 6.2 reb and 48% three-point shooting in January. If Bosh is traded, the Raptors may still have their power forward of the future. |
24. |
|
(NR) |
20 |
Debut |
Westbrook isn't without his flaws (namely, turnovers and a shot that needs improvement) but he brings great energy and exposiveness to the Thunder, especially on the break. |
25. |
|
(22) |
23 |
-3 |
Monta may not be putting up huge numbers, but his return has inspired the Warriors; they're 3-2 in the past five games with wins over Phoenix, Utah and New York. |
