1. LeBron James, Cavs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		42	38.6	.511	.372	.779	1.5	1.0	7.1	7.7	29.6	31.2
	In January, he is scoring more while maintaining the same staggering assists and rebounding numbers. Kobe's slump has allowed James to pull away from his closest rival. (Last week: 1 | Team record: 31-11)

	2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		41	38.3	.463	.316	.831	1.8	0.3	5.2	4.5	28.3	23.5
	Who else would play through back spasms, fractured fingers and strained elbows? He continues to sacrifice his body for the Lakers, who have the league's best record. (Last week: 2 | Team record: 32-9)

	3. C. Anthony, Nuggets	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		35	37.5	.476	.364	.868	1.2	0.3	6.3	3.3	30.0	25.1
	Midway through the season, it is a three-player MVP race. LeBron and Kobe have company. Anthony has been excellent, and now that he is healthy again, Denver is rolling. (Last week: 5 | Team record: 26-14)

	4. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		40	38.1	.478	.391	.881	1.0	1.2	8.0	2.6	25.5	23.4
	Last week he became the 34th player to reach the 20,000-point mark. He torched Boston for 37 points on MLK Day, giving the up-and-down Mavs a much-needed win. (Last week: 4 | Team record: 27-14)

	5. Kevin Durant, Thunder	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		41	39.7	.484	.360	.871	1.3	0.9	7.1	3.0	29.1	24.4
	Said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra: "He is so big and skilled and can shoot it over the top of you. He has grown a lot. I remember in his rookie year, he was nothing like this." (Last week: 7 | Team record: 23-18)

	6. Tim Duncan, Spurs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		37	32.3	.552	.000	.738	0.5	1.9	10.4	3.1	20.0	27.9
	He is having one of his best seasons despite playing a career-low 32.3 minutes per game. Pop implied that Duncan won't play on the second night of back-to-back games. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 25-15)

	7. Brandon Roy, Blazers	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		39	38.8	.483	.348	.794	1.0	0.1	4.6	5.1	23.4	22.6
	His injured hamstring forced him to miss Friday's win against the Magic and Monday's loss to the Wizards. He is expected to return Wednesday when the Blazers visit Philly. (Last week: 9 | Team record: 25-17)

	8. Joe Johnson, Hawks	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		40	37.7	.452	.359	.833	1.0	0.1	4.9	4.8	21.3	19.2
	The Magic were supposed to run away with the Southeast Division, but at the midway point JJ has led the Hawks to a half-game lead on Orlando. (Last week: 10 | Team record: 26-14)

	9. Steve Nash, Suns	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		42	33.4	.538	.426	.942	0.4	0.2	3.0	11.1	18.7	23.9
	Despite rejoining Chris Paul and Deron Williams in the debate for the league's top point, he hasn't been able to prevent the Suns from sliding. Phoenix has dropped five of six. (Last week: 3 | Team record: 24-18)

	10. Dwight Howard, Magic	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		41	34.5	.605	.000	.590	1.0	2.5	13.1	1.6	17.0	22.6
	He alters what teams do offensively, and leads the league in blocks and rebounding. In Monday's loss to the Lakers, he showed for one half that playing inside-out works. (Last week: 6 | Team record: 26-15)

Awards Watch past: Nov. 17 | 24 | Dec. 1 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 29 | Jan. 5 | 12

Durant

2. Zach Randolph, Grizzlies: Randolph might be playing the best basketball of his career, and his unselfish play is pushing the Grizzlies toward the playoffs.

3. Channing Frye, Suns: Shooting 42.3 percent on 3-pointers, he has been a perfect fit for the Suns by stretching the floor.

4. Aaron Brooks, Rockets: He has gone from being a nice player to being the leading scorer on a Rockets team contending for the playoffs.

5. Yi Jianlian, Nets: With his new-found aggressiveness, Yi is proving he can be a consistent scorer in this league.

Howard

1. Dwight Howard, Magic: Is there anyone else who forces every coach in the league to adjust his offensive game plan?

2. Gerald Wallace, Bobcats: He contests everything -- every shot, every pass, every halfcourt action and every fast break.

3. Kendrick Perkins, Celtics: Has displaced Ron Artest as the single most physical player in the league. His goal is to make opponents feel uncomfortable on every possession, and he usually succeeds.

4. Thabo Sefolosha, Thunder: Sam Presti's under-the-radar acquisition at last season's deadline has been the stopper for the league's fifth-ranked defense.

5. Jared Jeffries, Knicks: Don't underestimate the value of a guy who can guard virtually every position. The Knicks give up seven points per 100 possessions fewer when he's on the floor.

Hollins

1. Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies: Allen Iverson should have stayed in Memphis. He could have been a part of the most pleasantly surprising squad in the league. Memphis has won four in a row and 12 of 15, and nobody even remembers its 1-8 start to the season. (Last week: 5)

2. Scott Brooks, Thunder: He is getting the most out of the terrific trio of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook, and has Oklahoma City competing just as hard on the defensive end as it is on offense. (Last week: 3)

3. Rick Adelman, Rockets: Could you imagine having to choose a go-to player out of Aaron Brooks, Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza at this time last year? Probably not, but Adelman has made it work in Houston. (Last week: 2)

4. Nate McMillan, Blazers: Portland has gone from 21 to 32 to 41 to 54 wins in his first four seasons. Despite all the injuries the Blazers have had this season, he has them eight games over .500. (Last week: 4)

5. Mike Dunleavy, Clippers: The Clippers won't get a single minute out of Blake Griffin this season, but somehow Dunleavy has L.A. (18-22) on pace to destroy last season's 19-win nightmare, with an outside chance of challenging for the final playoff spot in the West. (Last week: NR)