James Harden of the Houston Rockets looks on while playing the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 21, 2016 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo : Getty Images/Gregory Shamus)
The National Basketball Association is already approaching the All-Star Weekend which will feature the best players in the league. Among those who are nominated for their respective All-Star teams, here are the five who lead the Most Valuable Player race:
1. James Harden, Houston Rockets
Even though the Rockets have been mediocre in their last ten games, winning five while dropping five, they are still the third-best team in the Western Conference and most of the credit goes to Harden. What is baffling about the Rockets' case is that everybody, except Harden, has never been part of any All-Star teams, yet they are winning percentage of 69.1 percent behind a 38-17 record. 'The Beard,' who is still number one in NBA.com's MVP Ladder is averaging 28.9 points, a league-best 11.4 assists and 8.2 rebounds.
2. Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
The Celtics were a disappointment during the start of the season but with the emergence of Thomas, they quickly climbed up through the Eastern Conference standings, overtaking the Washington Wizards at second place. Thomas is averaging 29.8 points (second-best in the league), 6.4 assists and 2.7 rebounds. He is arguably the best fourth quarter scorer in the league and has a PER of 27.78 that ranks third in the NBA, translating to the Celtics' 33-19 record.
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Statistically, Westbrook is arguably the best player in the NBA by averaging a triple-double of a league-best 30.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.2 assists. He is touted to duplicate what has only been done in 1962 by Oscar Robertson but his Thunder is not having the success that he is experiencing. Oklahoma City, which has a 30-23 record for seventh place in the West, still has a chance of missing the playoffs with teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings lurking behind.
4. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Leonard has a 27.95 PER, the second-best in the league according to ESPN's Hollinger Player Statistics, despite having a usage rate of just 28.8 which ranks 14th in the league. That is how efficient 'The Klaw' is for the Spurs. The five-year player is averaging 25.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists and his Spurs are enjoying second place in the West behind a 40-12 record. And for the nth time, the Spurs are projected to win 50-plus games once again.
5. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
'The King' is still the best player on the planet but the Cavaliers recent lackluster play had been evident. However, Cleveland is still the best team in the East with a 36-15 record and has a 3.5 game advantage over the second-running Celtics. James is averaging 25.9 points, 8.8 assists and 7.9 rebounds.
