Despite some NBA teams having already played more than 50 of their scheduled 82 games, the All-Star extravaganza marked the unofficial halfway mark in the season.
With injury restricting Kobe Bryant from participating, hence the inclusion of New Orleans big man Anthony Davis, 25 players were been selected for the All-Star game, also in New Orleans.
With perennial All-Stars Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook missing selection through injury, there were around 30 players who make up the league’s elite class.
And while the majority of the NBA world has been arguing about the LeBron-Durant MVP race, I thought I would select the top 10 players so far in season 2014.
1) Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City) 31.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists
Ever since his freshman season at the University of Texas, Durant has shown his otherworldly scoring talents.
Slowly but surely, as each season has passed, he has also displayed improved defensive and playmaking abilities, too.
This current season, he has been remarkable in leading his Thunder squad (minus Russell Westbrook for the majority) to a league-leading 43 wins at the All-Star break.
It will take anything short of a natural disaster to halt Durant, who is on his way to his fourth scoring title and his first league MVP.
2) LeBron James (Miami) 26.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists
Sometimes, as sports fans we can take things for granted.
LeBron James’ greatness falls into that category. For 11 years now he has been a triple-double threat every time he stepped into an NBA arena.
This season is no different.
With a hobbled Dwyane Wade, King James has carried Miami to the third best record in the league while continuing his nightly highlight reel of dunks, assists and blocks.
3) Kevin Love (Minnesota) 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Love’s numbers have always been mind-blowing, particularly his ability to rebound the ball, but it hasn’t always translated to winning seasons in Minneapolis.
This season is similar with the talented Wolves slightly underachieving in the hotly contested western conference, currently sitting tenth on the standings.
Love’s play can’t be questioned, though as he leads the league in double-doubles and upped his assist rate considerably.
4) Paul George (Indiana) 22.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists
George and his Pacers started the season in fanatical fashion before a recent lull has cost them the top seed (for now) cum NBA-finals time, should they make it.
While coach Frank Vogel has excellent players in David West, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson and Danny Granger at his disposal, it is George who has led from the front as Indiana push for a long-awaited championship.
He shoots the three impressively, can find his talented team mates when they get open and loves to slash to the rim for highlight dunks.
5) LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland) 23.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists
On a team that receives little national or international attention, former Texas star Aldridge is doing his best, alongside Damien Lillard to make people stand up and take notice of the Blazers.
Always a 20-point, 10-rebound threat, he has jumped his averages up across the board and has demanded All-Star and MVP contention.
6) Stephen Curry (Golden State) 24.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists
Like Kevin Love, Curry’s Warriors are performing at a less than expected standard.
Little, if any of that has to do with Curry.
He has dazzled with his long-range shooting and sweet passing and he currently sits second in the NBA for assists per contest.
No matter where the Warriors finish in the playoffs, all they have to do is make it and Curry could again carry them to a conference finals run.
7) Chris Paul (LA Clippers) 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 11.1 assists
The ease with which Paul conducts his business can sometimes lull us into a false sense of his worth.
As teammateBlake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Jamal Crawford provide the highlight dunks and crossovers it is often, if not always CP3 who has orchestrated the play.
Only injury has cost him a higher place on this list.
8) James Harden (Houston) 23.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists
While Harden and the Rockets haven’t dominated the league like many thought they would when Dwight Howard come to town, they are third in the competitive west and look like a sure thing to reach the conference semi-finals.
Harden often cruises through matches but his playmaking and scoring allow him to push the Rockets to many wins, especially in their home Toyota Centre.
Led by Harden and supported by Howard, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin, the Rockets are a legitimate threat to any team they face.
9) Carmelo Anthony (New York) 27.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists
I was very reluctant to include Melo in this top 10 because I place a lot of the Knicks problems on his shoulders – unfairly.
2014 has seen him produce career-highs in boards, free throw shoots, blocks and he has dished out the least turnovers of his career.
While he can still be a ball-stopper, Melo is a scoring machine who can put the ball in the basket in every conceivable way.
The Bobcats will attest to this as he torched them for 62 earlier in the season.
10) Blake Griffin (LA Clippers) 24.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists
When Chris Paul’s shoulder dropped out of its socket, Clippers fans held their collective breaths.
The season looked to be at a crossroads as CP3 laid on the Staples Centre hardwood.
Step in, Blake Griffin.
As Paul sat out 19 games, Griffin took over and steered the Clippers into first spot in the Pacific Division, holding off Golden State comfortably.
Sixth in the NBA in scoring, Griffin is also rebounding at a strong rate, is giving out a career-best 3.5 assists and has improved upon his major weakness, his foul shooting.
While Paul takes this team as far as he can carry them, Griffin is the best sidekick in all of basketball and a superstar in his own right.
Honourable Mentions
Al Jefferson (Charlotte) 20.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Anthony Davis (New Orleans) 20.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland) 21.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists
Damien Lillard (Portland) 20.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists
John Wall (Washington) 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists
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