1. LeBron James, Cavs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		46	38.8	.506	.355	.775	1.5	1.0	7.2	7.8	29.9	31.4
	Despite Delonte West's troubles and Mo Williams' sprained left shoulder, all James has done is lead the Cavs to a sweep of the Lakers and the league's top record. (Last week: 1 | Team record: 35-11)

	2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		44	38.5	.458	.313	.832	1.7	0.3	5.4	4.6	28.3	23.3
	He has maintained his high level of play despite the finger and back issues, and has helped the West-leading Lakers overcome Pau Gasol's missing 17 games to injuries. (Last week: 2 | Team record: 33-11)

	3. C. Anthony, Nuggets	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		38	37.9	.464	.361	.861	1.3	0.4	6.5	3.3	29.7	24.6
	He has missed six of Denver's 12 games this month, including Monday's win against Charlotte (ankle). The NBA's second-leading scorer, he has shown a more all-around game. (Last week: 3 | Team record: 30-14)

	4. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		43	38	.478	.387	.885	1.0	1.2	7.9	2.5	25.1	23.1
	He went over 20,000 points and has been performing at an MVP level, and the Mavs have the third-best record in the West. Why isn't he starting in the ASG in Dallas? (Last week: 4 | Team record: 29-15)

	5. Kevin Durant, Thunder	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		44	39.9	.481	.364	.875	1.3	0.8	7.3	2.9	29.3	24.6
	How will he celebrate getting chosen as an All-Star reserve? "My brother told me if we're watching the show and we see my name, we're going to pop the apple cider." (Last week: 5 | Team record: 24-20)

	6. Tim Duncan, Spurs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		40	32.5	.539	.000	.734	0.5	1.9	10.4	3.1	19.8	27.2
	TD, who is having one of his best seasons, became the 35th player to score 20,000 points. Still, the Spurs, who have dropped five of six, continue to struggle. (Last week: 6 | Team record: 25-18)

	7. Joe Johnson, Hawks	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		43	37.5	.453	.352	.831	1.0	0.0	4.8	4.9	21.1	19.3
	Johnson had 20 points and six boards Monday as the Hawks won in Houston for the first time since 1999. He has helped lead Atlanta to the second-most wins in the East. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 29-14)

	8. Steve Nash, Suns	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		46	33.3	.530	.427	.943	0.5	0.2	3.2	11.0	18.4	23.4
	After failing to reach double digits in assists the past two games, he gave out 15 helpers Monday to become the eighth player in NBA history with at least 8,000 dimes. (Last week: 9 | Team record: 26-20)

	9. Brandon Roy, Blazers	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		40	38.3	.484	.353	.792	1.0	0.1	4.6	5.0	23.1	22.7
	The Blazers have dropped three of four while their leader battles hamstring issues. Is there another player besides Kobe whom you would trust more in the fourth quarter? (Last week: 7 | Team record: 27-19)

	10. Dwyane Wade, Heat	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		44	36.6	.466	.304	.752	1.8	1.2	4.9	6.2	27.1	27.9
	We will forgive him for his poorly executed around-the-back pass in Monday's loss to the Cavs. There isn't another player who means more to his team than Wade. (Last week: NR | Team record: 23-21)

Awards Watch past: Nov. 17 | 24 | Dec. 1 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 29 | Jan. 5 | 12 | 19

Brooks

By Jarrod N. Rudolph
RealGM Columnist
1. Aaron Brooks, Rockets: He has quickly made the transition from young talent to potential All-Star. The 25-year-old guard's exciting style of play has the surprising Rockets in the playoff hunt. Brooks has increased his numbers in every significant category.

2. Carl Landry, Rockets: He isn't good enough to make people forget about Yao Ming, but Landry is doing a great job of forcing people to ask the question: Who's Carl? The third-year forward is playing co-star to Brooks. His contributions have made the Rockets a tough team that nobody wants to match up with.

3. Channing Frye, Suns: He was the perfect fit for Phoenix's run-and-gun system. For the better part of his five-year career, Frye's skills haven't fit the teams he's played for. With the Suns, the 26-year-old center is finally showing people how good he can be.

4. Danilo Gallinari, Knicks: He can play. Most people wouldn't have agreed with that statement a year ago. The multiskilled forward has changed the leaguewide whispers of bust; on most nights, he's helping the Knicks improve their on-court performance.

5. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Nets: The Nets don't win many games, but that's not because of Douglas-Roberts' performance. The second-year forward has shown that he can play at the NBA level. He has improved every facet of his game this season. Unfortunately his strides will be lost in the Nets' flirtation with the record for losses in a season.

Smith

1. Josh Smith, Hawks: He is a great shot-blocker, and to be a great defender you must be able to block shots. We played together in high school and AAU so I taught him how to be a great defender (chuckle).

2. Ron Artest, Lakers: He may be the best perimeter defender in the NBA. He also does an excellent job of protecting the paint.

3. Brendan Haywood, Wizards: Most people don't realize that he is among the top four in the league in blocked shots this season. So he definitely should be up there.

4. Kendrick Perkins, Celtics: He is a really good low-post defender. He knows how to use his body to his advantage.

5. Dwight Howard, Magic: I just love playing defense. I love blocking shots and rebounding.

Hollins

1. Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies: Memphis has started 2010 with a 9-3 record, including impressive victories over the Magic, Thunder, Spurs, Suns (twice), Jazz and Blazers. (Last week: 1)

2. Scott Brooks, Thunder: Clearly his team has surpassed expectations, but in order for Oklahoma City to take the next step, it needs to start winning the close games. The Thunder's past four losses have been by two points or fewer. (Last week: 2)

3. Larry Brown, Bobcats: Charlotte has the top-ranked defense in the league, is just a game below .500 and, if the season ended today, would be playoff-bound. (Last week: NR)

4. Nate McMillan, Blazers: Brandon Roy is the Blazers' closer, and they missed him Monday night when they failed to make an eight-point lead with 3:26 remaining hold up against the Hornets. (Last week: 4)

5. Rick Adelman, Rockets: Not only do the Rockets continue to win without their two All-Stars, but somehow they get away with starting the 6-6 Chuck Hayes at center. (Last week: 3)