1. LeBron James, Cavs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		57	38.9	.503	.349	.772	1.6	1.0	7.1	8.4	30.0	31.9
	Who knew Zydrunas Ilgauskas was the real MVP of the Cavs? Despite Cleveland's slide, the Cavs have the league's best record and LeBron is the NBA's top player. (Last week: 1 | Team record: 43-14)

	2. Kevin Durant, Thunder	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		54	40	.479	.380	.880	1.4	0.9	7.5	2.9	29.8	25.2
	The Thunder have won nine straight and Durant has scored at least 25 points in every game since Dec. 19, while the Lakers went 4-1 without Kobe. Which is needed more? (Last week: 3 | Team record: 33-21)

	3. Kobe Bryant, Lakers	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		51	38.6	.461	.327	.814	1.7	0.3	5.3	4.6	28.0	23.2
	After resting his ankle for 18 days, Kobe returns Tuesday in Memphis. "It's about 80-85 [percent] right now. The rest of the percentage is made up just from strength." (Last week: 2 | Team record: 42-14)

	4. Dwight Howard, Magic	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		57	35.4	.599	.000	.610	1.1	2.8	13.5	1.6	18.5	23.9
	He won the Superman battle when the Magic beat the Cavs. He has a league-best 26 games of at least 20 points and 20 boards and has 329 double-doubles since 2004-05. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 38-19)

	5. Steve Nash, Suns	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		57	33.6	.508	.423	.941	0.5	0.2	3.3	11.2	17.6	22.6
	The league leader in free throw percentage and assists will miss his first game this season -- Tuesday night against the Thunder -- with abdominal and lower back pain. (Last week: 5 | Team record: 34-23)

	6. C. Anthony, Nuggets	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		43	38	.460	.365	.848	1.3	0.4	6.4	3.5	29.2	24.0
	LeBron had the better stats in his duel against Melo, but Anthony, who had 40 points, 6 boards and 7 assists, nailed the winner in LBJ's face with 1.9 seconds left. (Last week: 6 | Team record: 37-19)

	7. Chris Bosh, Raptors	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		53	36.4	.525	.375	.790	0.6	1.1	11.4	2.3	24.5	26.4
	He has missed the past two Toronto games with a bad ankle. That's bad news for Raptors fans. He is averaging 29.2 points, 11.4 boards and 3.8 assists in February. (Last week: 9 | Team record: 31-24)

	8. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		56	37.6	.473	.345	.902	0.9	1.1	7.6	2.5	24.7	22.5
	The additions of Brendan Haywood and Caron Butler haven't affected his offensive production -- he has scored at least 23 points in five straight (four of them Dallas wins). (Last week: 4 | Team record: 36-21)

	9. Joe Johnson, Hawks	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		55	37.9	.467	.375	.830	1.1	0.1	4.7	4.6	21.7	19.8
	The All-Star scored 11 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter Monday night to lead the Hawks to their first road victory against the Jazz since Feb. 13, 1993. (Last week: 7 | Team record: 35-20)

	10. Deron Williams, Jazz	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		50	37.1	.474	.360	.790	1.1	0.3	4.2	9.9	18.3	20.2
	Missed Monday's loss to Atlanta (thigh) and was upset when Ronnie Brewer was traded. That's about all that has gone wrong during Utah's hot streak that started Jan. 9. (Last week: 10 | Team record: 36-20)

Awards Watch: Nov. 17 | 24 | Dec. 1 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 29 | Jan. 5 | 12 | 19 | 26 | Feb. 2 | 9

Brooks

1. Aaron Brooks, Rockets: Everyone has a different definition for the most improved player category. But regardless of the formula, it is hard to overlook Brooks' career season. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for him to develop chemistry with his new running mate, Kevin Martin. (Last week: NR)

2. Josh Smith, Hawks: A fantasy basketball player's dream, Smith led the Hawks to their first win in Utah in 17 years on Monday. His game has risen to the next level thanks to his improved decision-making and more consistent focus on the defensive side of the ball. (Last week: 1)

3. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies: He is averaging almost a double-double, has transformed himself into one of the game's best centers and has figured out a way to stay out of Zach Randolph's space around the basket. And no, I'm not buying the theory that all second-year players show improvement. Ever heard of a sophomore slump? (Last week: 4)

4. Carl Landry, Kings: He is averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds in his first two games -- both losses -- with his new team. (Last week: 3)

5. (tie) Rajon Rondo, Celtics and Corey Brewer, Wolves: Rondo is leading the league in steals, his midrange shooting has improved, he can run a team as well as any floor leader in the league and now he has All-Star credentials.

Meanwhile, the losses continue to pile up for Brewer's Wolves, but the 2-guard has run his streak of consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer to 21. (Last week: NR and 5)

Howard

1. Dwight Howard, Magic: Two weeks ago I wrote that Howard was on pace to become the first player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding and blocked shots twice, only to receive numerous e-mails that I was incorrect. Here are the five players who have accomplished the rare feat once.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lakers: 1975-76
Bill Walton, Blazers: 1976-77
Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets: 1989-90
Ben Wallace, Pistons: 2001-02
Dwight Howard, Magic: 2008-09

The Daily Double has recorded 18 consecutive double-doubles. (Last week: 1)

2. Gerald Wallace, Bobcats: When he has performances like he did against the Clippers on Monday (32 points, 5 assists) it almost makes you overlook the other things he brings to the table, such as the 12 rebounds and 4 steals in the same game. (Last week: 2)

3. Ron Artest, Lakers: During the five games that Kobe Bryant was out, Artest played a little over five minutes more per game. During this stretch, the Lakers are allowing five fewer points per 100 possessions. (Last week: 5)

4. Anderson Varejao, Cavaliers: Getting rid of Zydrunas Ilgauskas means more time at center for Varejao, and as a result of matching up with bigger players, he is now grabbing fewer rebounds. (Last week: 4)

5. Josh Smith, Hawks: His rebounding and shot-blocking have always earned him props, but now he is stealing the ball at a rate surpassed only by league leaders. (Last week: 3)

Brooks

1. Scott Brooks, Thunder: Even the biggest Oklahoma City fan couldn't have predicted that Durant would be a top-three MVP candidate and that Brooks would be the overwhelming favorite for Coach of the Year. (Last week: 1)

2. Nate McMillan, Blazers: Portland is in a rut, but it should be expected. All of the injuries the Blazers have had this season were bound to catch up to them. They need Brandon Roy to get completely healthy in a hurry. (Last week: 2)

3. Jerry Sloan, Jazz: It is hard to believe that he has never received Coach of the Year honors, but he deserves a mention here especially after leading Utah to 17 wins in its past 20 games. (Last week: NR)

4. Larry Brown, Bobcats: Charlotte has dropped two in a row to fall into a tie with the Bucks for the final playoff spot in the East. Still, with the way that the Bobcats play defense (allowing just 94.3 points per game), it wouldn't come as a surprise if Charlotte finished as high as sixth. (Last week: 4)

5. Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies: Memphis has struggled lately, dropping seven of 10, but is still a game above .500. The Grizzlies have already won four more games than they did last season. (Last week: 3)