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1. Dwight Howard, Magic:
He has been the front-runner for this award all season. Besides
becoming the youngest player to grab 5,000 rebounds, he became just the
fifth player in NBA history to lead the league in blocked shots and
rebounds (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton,
Hakeem Olajuwon and
Ben Wallace were the others). (Last week: 1)
2. LeBron James, Cavaliers:
Cleveland is allowing a league-low 91 points per game. James has
accepted the challenge of guarding the opponents' best player in
critical situations and he leads the Cavs in steals and is third in
blocks. (Last week: 3)
3. Shane Battier/Ron Artest, Rockets: The reason Battier and Artest are handcuffed in the rankings is because Houston plays some of the best team defense in the league and the two are equally effective in helping to shut down the opposition. (Last week: 4)
4. Dwyane Wade, Heat:
By simply outworking his opponents, he has put up terrific numbers in
the steals (2.2 per game) and block (1.3) categories while making
game-changing plays on the defensive end of the floor. (Last week: 2)
5. (tie) Chris Andersen, Nuggets and Chris Paul, Hornets:
Andersen completed his comeback season by harassing would-be shooters
on the way to 2.5 blocks per game -- second to Howard. Paul was a pest
to opposing guards on both ends of the court, leading the league with
2.8 thefts per game. (Last week: 5)
Most Improved Player Watch
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1. Kevin Durant, Thunder:
Just because he was rookie of the year last season, doesn't mean that
despite his obvious transformation from no-conscience gunner to
franchise-building superstar, he shouldn't be rewarded. (Last week: 1)
2. Devin Harris, Nets:
He deserves props for posting the league's biggest one-season jump in
points caused by all of the extra playing time he had in New Jersey
after the trade from Dallas, but at the very least he should split the
MIP trophy he is going to receive in a few weeks with Durant. (Last
week: 2)
3. Danny Granger, Pacers:
He is the first player in NBA history to increase his scoring average
by at least five points in three consecutive seasons. In addition to
his 25.2 points per game, he also set career highs in assists, blocks
and free throw percentage. (Last week: 3)
4. Nene, Nuggets:
The unofficial NBA comeback player of the year (sorry Shaq) has managed
to stay healthy this season and the results were career highs in
points, rebounds, blocks, free throw and shooting percentage. (Last
week: 4)
5. Paul Millsap, Jazz: He took advantage of Carlos Boozer's
absence to average 16.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists, while
shooting 54.5 percent from the floor in 38 games as a starter. He has
also been effective off the bench for Utah. (Last week: 5)
Points per game
Dwyane Wade, Heat (30.2)
NBA scoring leaders
Rebounds per game
Dwight Howard, Magic (13.9)
NBA rebounding leaders
Assists per game
Chris Paul, Hornets (11.0)
NBA assists leaders
Steals per game
Chris Paul, Hornets (2.8)
NBA steals leaders
Blocks per game
Dwight Howard, Magic (2.9)
NBA blocks leaders
Field goal percentage
Shaquille O'Neal, Suns (.609)
NBA field goal leaders
3-point field goal percentage
Anthony Morrow, Warriors (.464)
NBA 3-point shooting leaders
Free throw percentage
Jose Calderon, Raptors (98.0)
NBA free throw shooting leaders