1. Dwight Howard Orlando Magic	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		16	34.4	.598	.000	.538	1.1	2.4	11.9	1.3	22.6	26.6
	If the league's most dominant big man wins the MVP trophy, he should bring Hakeem Olajuwon, who worked with him in the offseason on his low-post moves, to the podium. (Last week: 3 | Team record: 12-4)

	2. Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		18	37.3	.447	.286	.886	2.2	0.4	5.1	8.6	23.8	26.1
	In September, when Kevin Durant was leading Team USA to the gold at the FIBA World Championship, who'd have thought KD would be the second-best player in OKC? (Last week: 5 | Team record: 12-6)

	3. Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		17	33.4	.433	.333	.877	0.9	0.2	5.8	4.6	26.5	24.3
	In the eight years I have been writing about NBA awards, last week was the first time the Kobe bashers outweighed the Kobe supporters. Are fans taking him for granted? (Last week: 1 | Team record: 13-4)

	4. Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		14	39.1	.468	.327	.776	1.0	0.6	4.6	8.2	26.6	22.8
	You know things are going well when you score 30 in a game while fighting neck pain. Carlos Boozer is returning soon. What's that mean? A small dip in points for Rose. (Last week: 7 | Team record: 9-6)

	5. Deron Williams Utah Jazz	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		19	38.1	.464	.366	.856	1.3	0.2	4.2	9.9	21.9	22.9
	All things considered, D-Will might be the most complete point guard in the league. Utah is rolling, winner of six straight, including wins against the Lakers and Hornets. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 14-5)

	6. Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		17	36.8	.545	.382	.847	0.5	0.7	8.3	2.2	25.7	24.6
	My bad, Dirk. It took a five-game winning streak by the Mavs with you playing lights-out ball in that span for me to realize I had been sleeping on you. (Last week: NR | Team record: 13-4)

	7. Chris Paul New Orleans Hornets	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		17	34.5	.490	.474	.901	2.9	0.1	4.7	10.3	16.5	27.3
	CP3 leads the league in PER and steals and is second in assists, but he continues to slide down this list with every Hornets loss. New Orleans has dropped four of five. (Last week: 2 | Team record: 12-5)

	8. Carmelo Anthony Denver Nuggets	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		16	35.1	.459	.364	.867	1.3	0.6	8.6	3.4	23.8	23.2
	Melo took a sick day in Denver's win against Phoenix on Sunday, but contrary to what some experts predicted, he has done anything but mail it in this season. (Last week: 10 | Team record: 10-6)

	9. Manu Ginobili San Antonio Spurs	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		16	33.3	.474	.402	.911	1.8	0.4	3.6	5.1	21.6	25.1
	This spot was a toss-up between Manu and TP, but I gave the nod to Ginobili, who seems to be hitting his stride (23.6 pts, 6.6 ast and 5.2 reb) in his past five games. (Last week: NR | Team record: 14-2)

	10. Kevin Garnett Boston Celtics	G	MIN	FG%	3P%	FT%	STL	BLK	RPG	AST	PTS	PER
		16	33	.525	.000	.848	1.7	0.6	9.3	1.9	15.7	19.5
	Garnett doesn't have a realistic chance of winning the award because if you ask four people who is Boston's best player, you'll get four different answers. (Last week: NR | Team record: 12-4)

Previous editions: Nov. 16 | Nov. 23

Hibbert

1. Roy Hibbert, Pacers: Sure, the season is fewer than 20 games old, but barring a significant injury or drop-off in production, this award is his to lose. He roughed up Pau Gasol and the boys for 24 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists Sunday. (Last week: 1)

2. Eric Gordon, Clippers: Playing with Team USA this summer has done wonders for Gordon's confidence. The Clippers' leading scorer is playing on an All-Star level. (Last week: 4)

3. (tie) Kevin Love and Michael Beasley, Timberwolves: These two are still attached at the hip as they enjoy career seasons. And with the way Darko Milicic is playing, is it possible to have three players from Minnesota on this list? (Last week: 2)

4. Paul Millsap, Jazz: Speaking of All-Stars, should Millsap, who is averaging 18.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, have been included on the All-Star ballot? Although most Jazz fans were sad to see Carlos Boozer leave town, Millsap definitely has eased the loss. (Last week: NR)

5. Luis Scola, Rockets: The numbers (20.6 points, 9.1 rebounds) still look healthy, but Scola has cooled off after a blistering pace to start the season. When Yao returns, that should free Scola up. (Last week: 3)

Howard

1. Dwight Howard, Magic: At his size, it is hard to believe he is sometimes overlooked, but this might end up being his greatest all-around season to date. (Last week: 1)

2. Joakim Noah, Bulls: His play is contagious. Derrick Rose is the headliner in Chicago, but Noah does all the behind-the-scenes work that makes the Bulls successful. (Last week: NR)

3. Kevin Garnett, Celtics: The first time the Celtics faced Toronto's Andrea Bargnani, he lit them up for 29 points. How did Round 2 turn out? Bargnani was limited to just 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting. The difference? A locked-in KG. "I take defense very seriously." We know, Kevin, we know. (Last week: 4)

4. Josh Smith, Hawks: He is in the top 22 in the league in steals (1.5 per game) and blocked shots (2.4). (Last week: 3)

5. Chris Paul, Hornets: New Orleans still has the top-rated defense in the league, giving up a paltry 92.4 points a night. And Paul is a big reason why. (Last week: 2)

Williams

1. Monty Williams, Hornets : Williams is still clinging to the top spot based on New Orleans' suffocating defense and the fact that the Hornets have been one of the league's pleasant surprises so far. Gregg Popovich is closing in quickly, however. (Last week: 1)

2. Gregg Popovich, Spurs : San Antonio has gone from slow and boring (think Big Fundamental) to fast and exciting to watch, and Pop deserves credit for being able to win with two totally different styles of play. (Last week: 2)

3. Jerry Sloan, Jazz: Hey, somebody has to get the props for all these comeback victories by the Jazz, right? (Last week: NR)

4. Byron Scott, Cavaliers: Raise your hand if you thought the LeBron-less Cavs would be 7-9 after 16 games and fighting for a playoff spot in the East? Don't feel bad, me neither. (Last week: 5)

5. (tie) Tom Thibodeau, Bulls and Jim O'Brien, Pacers : Thibodeau has Chicago sitting in first place in the Central Division, and one of his toys -- Carlos Boozer -- hasn't played a minute yet.

O'Brien added the Lakers to the list of heavyweight title contenders his Pacers have knocked off this season. (Last week: 3 and 4)