29. Kwame Brown (Previously Unranked)
Shoot! This isn’t the timeline for bad executive decisions made by Michael Jordan; this is the top 50 player rankings. Honest mistake.

29. Kevin Garnett (Previously #19)
This straight-from-high-schooler worked out a little better than Kwame. I dropped Garnett because more often than not, it looks like he’s fighting a losing battle against father time. I still wouldn’t want to have to deal with KG in a playoff series though. There is always the chance he could turn back the hands of time and unleash some vintage Big Ticket performances while trash talking the opposition and eating Honey Nut Cheerios in the process.

28. Deron Williams (Previously #10)
Deron Williams: “Did you hear this garbage about that kid Sonny Giuliano dropping me 18 spots in his NBA player rankings?”

Deron Williams’ Publicist: “Well a lot of it has to do with the fact that you’re in the middle of your worst statistical season since your rookie year and—”

Deron Williams: “What does he know about basketball? And what do you know about basketball? You’re just here to make sure people like me.”

Deron Williams’ Publicist: “About that… you’ve got to stop getting coaches fired. You’re making my job really difficult.”

27. Jrue Holiday (Previously on Toughest Omissions)
Holiday makes the biggest jump of any of the players previously on the toughest omissions list, and for good reason. I forecasted that Jrue Holiday would make the leap into the top 50 because of the 76ers’ addition of Andrew Bynum. Well, Bynum has been busy bowling and growing out his hair to extraordinary lengths, but Holiday’s progression hasn’t slowed a bit. Holiday’s jump from mid-level point guard to arguably a top five point guard in the league has been the deciding factor in keeping the 76ers in the playoff picture after Philadelphia made a trade that left them with nothing to show for it for the time being. Thanks to Holiday (and let’s give some credit to Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young too, they’ve both come along this season as well) the 76ers are hanging around in the East, and maybe with a break or two (Rondo’s torn ACL may be one, potential roster-busting trades for the Bucks and Hawks may end up being another), we could end up seeing Jrue Holiday featured in the playoffs.

26. Paul Pierce (Previously #21)
The truth is, Paul Pierce has lost a step. You can’t tell by the numbers, but he’s definitely lost a step. He isn’t as quick off the dribble as he used to be. He can’t defend like he did in years past. He doesn’t have the spring he had in 2007. It’s his 15^th season in the league, it’s to be expected. In a lot of ways, he isn’t the same Paul Pierce he once was.

The truth is, I’m still terrified of Paul Pierce. And as a LeBron James fan, I’m still terrified of the Celtics. Even though common sense and conventional wisdom says I should be hoping for a plush 1^st round matchup against the Celtics, I’m praying Boston manages to fight out of the 8^th spot because I don’t want the Heat to have to deal with the Celtics in round one. That’s way too much stress for me way too early.

The truth is, Paul Pierce is still the truth. Even though he can’t bring his A game every night, it’s there every once in a while, and Pierce’s A game is just as dangerous as anyone else’s. That’s why I’m terrified.

25. LaMarcus Aldridge (Previously #22)
24. David Lee (Previously #50)
I have a ton of love for LA and WCW (White Chris Webber for those of you who aren’t familiar with the Shaquille O’Neal given nickname of David Lee). They are both all-star caliber power forwards who do just about anything you could want a power forward to do. But the problem is, David Lee’s point guard’s all-star credentials are greater than either of these two. I’ll be picking that nit in a minute.

23. Chris Bosh (Previously #20)
To avoid the wrath of my mother for dropping Chris Bosh in the rankings, let me use this time to say that I’m half way on Chris Bosh’s side when he claims he is a hall of famer. Sure, he might’ve went a little too far when he said he was a Hall of Famer “like four years ago”, but the case could potentially be made that the forgotten man in the Heat Big Three will indeed someday end up in Springfield. Let’s look at his résumé so far:
Career averages of 19.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 50% FG, 80% FT… 8 time All-Star… 7^th in 2006-07 MVP voting, 12^th in 2009-10 MVP voting… One 2^nd Team All-NBA… Three seasons of at least 22 points and 10 rebounds… 3^rd best player on one Championship runner-up, and one NBA Champion

Well, maybe that isn’t the most rock-solid résumé, but consider this: It’s not a stretch that Bosh could end up one of the Top 50 all-time scorers and rebounders. It’s also not a stretch that Chris Bosh could end up with a couple of more titles. So let’s assume Bosh ends his career with 18,000 career points, 8,500 rebounds, 10 All-Star appearances, 3 NBA titles as the 3^rd best player on the team, and a few “Whoa, Chris Bosh is really important to the Heat” moments like he had last year in the playoffs. Is that good enough to make the Hall of Fame? I’d say yes. And the kind folks at www.basketball-reference.com seem to think so too. Bosh is currently the 11^th most likely active player to make the Hall of Fame. This system is a little flawed though, considering Steve Nash is currently 20^th on that list. Let’s just put the Chris Bosh Hall of Fame argument on hold for a few years, and while we’re doing that, I can pray my mom will still make me delicious dinners.

22. Joakim Noah (Previously #45)
This man is the 22^nd best player in the NBA.

Jan. 30, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) against Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

21. Pau Gasol (Previously #17)
20. Dwight Howard (Previously #3)
Try to contain your excitement… It’s time for another fun-sized round of “Make up fun fake trades on ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine that will likely never happen.” I can feel your excitement seeping through the computer screen. I’m a firm believer in the idea that the Lakers best move is to keep Pau, trade Dwight Howard (he’s leaving Los Angeles in six months anyways) and try to make the playoffs on the shoulders of Kobe Bryant, some added depth, and Pau Gasol when he comes back from his torn plantar fascia.

Trade #1: Los Angeles gets Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson, Hakim Warrick and DeSagana Diop; Charlotte gets Dwight Howard.

NOTE: Realistically, this trade never comes close to happening for a myriad of reasons. But the thought of Dwight Howard (a notorious goofball; someone who has the reputation for not being nearly competitive enough) being traded from Los Angeles (where he’s been playing with the competitive player in the NBA) to Charlotte (owned by the most competitive athlete ever) makes me laugh.

Trade #2: Los Angeles gets Omer Asik, Patrick Patterson, and Chandler Parsons; Houston gets Dwight Howard.

NOTE: This is quite a bit of value the Lakers would be getting for Dwight, and enough size to survive for the period of time where Pau Gasol will be out. And wouldn’t Houston want to make this move too? The Rockets would be able to build around Dwight, the Beard and Linsanity, and they could even market Dwight as the next Hakeem (That’s just the marketing side of me thinking. The basketball fan in me is saying Dwight will never be Hakeem). As for Dwight, I can’t help but believe he would consider staying in Houston. It’s a relatively big market, features a young roster, and he would be lucky enough to be coached by one of the best low post scorers of all-time in Kevin McHale. This is a winning deal for all parties. I’m legitimately impressed with myself right now.

Trade #3: Los Angeles gets Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion and Rodrigue Beaubois; Dallas gets Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace.

NOTE: Again, this is a trade that will never ever happen, but just stay with me for a minute. On one hand, Dallas is another city where Dwight would likely stay, but that’s not why I’m making this hypothetical trade. Kobe, Dirk, Marion, and Pau are all under contract through 2014. Add Nash into the mix too. Why not give those five guys a year and a half to play with each other in Los Angeles. I say we contact David Stern and convince him to put this trade into motion. He clearly has the power to do so.

One last thing: I’m sure there are some who will be critical of me for dropping Dwight Howard to 20^th. I’ve made no bones about the fact that he’s my least favorite player in the league, but that isn’t why I dropped him. Do you see what’s happening to the Lakers? It’s a damn circus in Los Angeles, and the reason is Dwight Howard. Part of my criteria for ranking the players is their reputation; “Do players like playing with him or is he despised? Does he do little things that make the team better or is he out for himself? Is he known as a hard worker and leader, or someone who doesn’t always give a crap?” The answer to each of those three questions is the latter choice. And do we know for sure how healthy Dwight is? I don’t think he’s any better than 75% healthy and that isn’t really a good sign going forward. At this point, I’d be more surprised by a three-year Dwight Howard resurgence than a three-year Dwight Howard downfall.

19. Marc Gasol (Previously #27)
18. Zach Randolph (Previously #38)
Quick tangent: I loved the Grizzlies as a potential sleeper team in the playoffs this year, just like I did last year. I don’t think I was necessarily alone in believing that either. We didn’t really have any idea how this team would come together in the postseason when all the pieces were completely healthy, but the only reasonable guess would be that they would have a lot of success since two years in a row they were a tough out in the postseason, one year without Rudy Gay, and one year with a hobbled Zach Randolph. But through free agency and some curious trades, the Grizzlies of 2011 (Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Tony Allen, OJ Mayo, Shane Battier, Greivis Vasquez, Darrell Arthur) has been whittled down to Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Tony Allen, a past his prime Tayshaun Prince and a few other young pieces that Grizzlies fans can only hope don’t get collective stage fright in the playoffs. What the hell went wrong?

Alright, my tangent is over. It just makes me upset that a potential Western Conference juggernaut was torn apart for no other reason besides the fact that Grizzlies ownership wanted to save money. But here is the silver lining for the Grizzlies; the fact that they have the best big man tandem in the game is enough to leave them with the smallest sliver of a chance to contend for the title. It’s microscopic, but you have to find a silver lining.

17. Derrick Rose (Previously #8)
Of all 50 players, well actually closer to 75 or so players I had to evaluate for this list, ranking Derrick Rose was my toughest task. How do you rank someone who was the league MVP in 2011, played well when he played in 2012, tore his ACL, and has missed every single game this year? It’s impossible. I kept Andrew Bynum out of the top 50 because he hasn’t played a game this season, but I couldn’t do the same to Derrick Rose.

I can’t exactly explain my rationale for why I have Derrick Rose ranked 17^th. I’m sure some people will say Rose should still be a top ten player. Others will probably say that he shouldn’t be on the list at all since he hasn’t played. I’m not sure if I ranked him properly, and I have no other explanation as to why I put him here besides that it felt right. That’s terrible journalism, but it’s true. Derrick Rose could easily return and be the same exact player he was before. But there are two major what-ifs that come into play.

What if Derrick Rose is never the player he was prior to tearing his ACL? This is the absolute worst case scenario. It would be one of the greatest sports tragedies ever if Derrick Rose, someone who thrived on track star speed, breathtaking athleticism and miles of heart couldn’t be the real Derrick Rose because of torn knee ligaments. But…

What if Derrick Rose goes Adrian Peterson on us? After what All Day just did for the Minnesota Vikings, there is a glimmer of hope that Derrick Rose can return and improbably be better than he was before. Whenever I watch Derrick Rose go down my stomach turns and I feel uneasy. But the thought of Rose returning towards the end of the year, and sparking a storybook run to the Finals is the kind of stuff that gives me goosebumps.

Until Rose returns, I have no idea how far off I am with my ranking of him. For everybody’s sake, I hope he ends up much higher than 17^th.

16. Stephen Curry (Previously #48)
We’re going two routes here. The first route is you listening to Charles Barkley rant about Stephen Curry being snubbed from the All-Star game. The second route is me ranting about Stephen Curry being snubbed from the All-Star game. So click here to listen to Chuck, and then come back for more. Ready, go!

I’ve always loved Charles Barkley, and this was the cherry on top of the metaphorical sundae. Barkley’s voice echoed the tweets of so many who were frustrated with the fact that the brightest young star on the most surprising team of the Western Conference could somehow be left off the roster of the All-Star game. And this wasn’t a sentimental “The game is being played in his city, let’s get him on the roster” kind of snub; and it wasn’t a “This is his last season, let’s get him out there one more time” snub either. This was a blatant “This guy has turned around a franchise and is having a historically good season, he should be in there” snub. Did you know Stephen Curry is on pace to become the first player in NBA history to average 20 points, 6 assists and 3 three-pointers made per game? That’s been done by exactly no one. Not to mention he’s making a somewhat absurd number of three pointers per game on 45% shooting from downtown. And his team (young, relatively inexperienced, and a general surprise) is currently in 6^th in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. What else is missing? And besides the fact that Curry’s credentials more than warrant a spot on the roster, why wouldn’t you want someone who is not only a lights out shooter, but one of the most creative offensive players in the league in a fast paced game like the All-Star game? Seriously, what the hell happened to keep Stephen Curry out of the All-Star game?

And one last thing, Collin Stucko is getting close to owing ten dollars on our “Stephen Curry will never be a top five point guard in the league.” It’s damn close.

15. Kevin Love (Previously #7)
When I talked about Andre Iguodala last week I touched on this idea that after you play with Team USA you have a breakout season. Well, we saw it from Love after his time with Team USA at the World Championships in 2010, and a potential Love breakout season in 2012-13 was one of my favorite subplots until he developed a seemingly chronic right hand injury. Was there potential of a 28-15 season for Kevin Love? I don’t think it was too farfetched.

14. Kyrie Irving (Previously #25)
In two years when LeBron is playing alongside Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, it’s going to be a really interesting debate as to who should take the last shot in a close game. Kyrie is that good. And yes, my sources are telling me LeBron will be back in Cleveland in 2014-15.

NOTE: I have no sources, but it’s fun to pretend I do.

13. Blake Griffin (Previously #14)
Try not to be too concerned with the statistical drop-off Blake Griffin has had since his rookie year. Whether people see it or not, he’s a better player now than he was then. He’s much more patient and definitely more polished offensively than he was during that breakout rookie season. And if you are worried about those numbers steadily decreasing, take a look at his minutes per game which have dropped each year as well. The good news for Blake is there is a direct correlation between his minutes and numbers dropping, but commercial appearances going up.

12. Tony Parker (Previously #16)
Last year Tony Parker got a little bit of MVP buzz that I scoffed at mainly because Skip Bayless was firmly planted on the Tony Parker bandwagon, and I didn’t like that. Well, I changed my television watching habits, and I don’t watch ESPN’s First Take anymore, so I have no idea what Skip Bayless is saying about Tony Parker. That allows me to marvel at the season Tony Parker is having without knowing I’m agreeing with Skip. The fact that Tony Parker is averaging 20.7 points and 7.7 assists for the team with the best record in the league is impressive enough. But man oh man, when I look at his shooting percentage (roughly 54%, 16th in the league) I’m left scratching my head wondering how a 6’2 Frenchman is the only point guard firmly planted in the top 40 in field goal percentage. Even though this year LeBron and Durant are on an entirely different level than anyone else, if Parker keeps this up you could talk me into putting him in the top three of MVP rankings.

February 1, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) reacts after a dunk against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

11. Tyson Chandler (Previously #30)
I decided to re-do my rankings partly because it was halfway through the regular season, and it seemed logical to take the temperature of the NBA by doing something substantial like this. I also did it to try to correct any big mistakes I made in my prior rankings or in pieces I’ve written since then. When I did the Tyson Chandler section I gushed about the ability of Tyson Chandler to communicate with and motivate some less than stellar defensive players on the Knicks. Still, I might’ve underrated his defensive ability by ranking him 30^th. Apparently I didn’t learn my lesson. About a month ago when I ranked the Eastern Conference teams, I somehow let it slip my mind that Tyson Chandler (in the midst of his best season to date) should be an Eastern Conference All-Star. I have no good excuse for that one. So maybe some will see 11 as a little high for Chandler, but I had to do something to make up for the mistakes I made before.

10. Tim Duncan (Previously #28)
Admittedly I was off on Tyson Chandler. I’m not taking that same blame with Tim Duncan. How would I be able to foresee Duncan once again popping father time in the mouth and delaying the inevitable state of depressing decline? The story with Duncan is the similar to the one we’ve been seeing with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Maybe that A game isn’t there every night, but when it’s there, as Kevin Garnett would say, “Anything is possible.” Call me crazy, but I think it’s possible that the Spurs can ride Tim Duncan to another NBA championship. And as great as Tony Parker has been, the Spurs need vintage Tim Duncan to contend for a title.

9. Rajon Rondo (Previously #5)
Another player extremely tough to rank considering he tore his ACL. Before the bad break against Atlanta, Rondo was in the middle of his career best statistical season which was getting very little appreciation due to the fact that the Celtics were floundering in the Eastern Conference. Now since Rondo has gone down the Celts have won 7 straight and people are forgetting the fact that their title chances have just about evaporated without Rondo in the picture. Sure, the fan in me is still terrified of the Celtics, but the realist says that without Rondo running the show the Celtics aren’t a legitimate title threat.

8. James Harden (Previously #24)
You heard it here first—James Harden for All-Star game MVP. Take that one to the bank. And how about we get James Harden in the MVP discussion? He’s not going to win, and he shouldn’t, but shouldn’t he get some credit for turning the Rockets into a playoff team and clearly proving that he is capable of being “the man” for a good team? I’d say yes.

7. Dwyane Wade (Previously #9)
I’ve moved Dwyane Wade up two spots. See, I’m capable of giving him credit when credit is due.

6. Russell Westbrook (Previously #11)
When my roommate Weston and I were watching the Thunder/Lakers game a couple weeks back we were talking about the role of Russell Westbrook for the Thunder and how he constantly waivers between being the distributor and number one option. After a few sequences of typical Westbrook play (breathtaking athleticism and offensive skill coupled with shaky decision making at times), I came to realize that being a Thunder fan has to be an absolute emotional rollercoaster. In the hypothetical scenario that I were a diehard Oklahoma City Thunder fan, I don’t know if Westbrook would be my second favorite player on the team because he’s one of the top three overqualified number two guys in the league, or my least favorite player because of the constant emotional turmoil he has to put Thunder fans through. Season ticket holders should get free therapy sessions after every ridiculous Westbrook performance.

5. Carmelo Anthony (Previously #13)
I’m approaching my self-appointed word limit, so I’m going to make this as quick as Carmelo Anthony’s release on a transition three-pointer. Carmelo has been awesome this year. The MVP talk has faded a little, but watching Carmelo heat up with a frenzied MSG crowd cheering him on is a little terrifying.

4. Kobe Bryant (Previously #6)
It’s hard not to feel for Kobe Bryant. He’s on pace to become the first player in league history to average 25+ points while in their 17^th season, yet the Lakers, which had such high expectations before the season, have turned into a complete joke. I still maintain the belief that the Lakers will make the playoffs or Kobe Bryant will die trying. Actually, let me rephrase that. I still maintain the belief that the Lakers will make the playoffs or Kobe Bryant will kill someone trying. Yeah, that sounds more realistic.

3. Chris Paul (Previously #4)
Even in defeat and still hobbled, it was evident to me on Friday night when I was at the Clippers/Heat game that Chris Paul plays the point guard position like not many others ever have. He’s in such control of everything going on and sees things differently than 99% of anyone else who plays basketball. I may have said it before and I don’t care to look and see if I did, but watching Chris Paul run the point is like watching an instruction manual of how it’s supposed to be done. The thing that stood out to me most on Friday night was how he composed himself like a general of an army. I’ve never seen a more intimidating 6 foot point guard in my life. There was one sequence where Paul obviously upset about a call and didn’t hide this from the official who made the call, and eventually hit him with a technical. But for about 10 seconds when Paul was going from pursuing the ref to getting right in his face, you could see the competitive juices flowing and that’s what separates Paul from so many others. You could see that he just wanted it more than most do.

2. Kevin Durant (Previously #2)
Durant is the only guy who is standing in the way of LeBron winning his 4^th MVP, and might be the only guy standing in the way of LeBron winning a second NBA Championship. At this point it’s hard to imagine anyone beating a LeBron James led Heat team 4 out of 7 games, but Durant is the only one who I could see being a catalyst in doing so.

1. LeBron James (Previously #1)
Not much to say here to justify why LeBron is number one, so I’ll keep it short and sweet. As I mentioned before, I was at the Clippers/Heat game on Friday night, and I’ve never been more impressed with a basketball player in my life. Keep in mind I’ve seen quite a few “great” players in my life. I’ve seen LeBron multiple times, Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and Blake Griffin; and I’ve never seen someone so close to mastering the game of basketball in my life as LeBron James did on Friday night, and has been for the last, well, basically this whole season. It’s a cliché, but it was almost like watching nine guys on the floor playing one game, and LeBron playing another. It was a treat.

To go back and in just two weeks redo everything I had done previously was tough, especially considering this same task took me a few months to complete the first time around. So what you’ll see here is indeed a two-part list of the top 50 players in the NBA according to me, a fan who cares way too much for his own good. Just don’t expect nearly as many statistical nuggets, relevant notes, or total words as my initial rankings.

If you aren’t familiar with my rankings, I suggest you click here to review the criteria I used to rank the players a few months ago. So without further ado, here are the adjusted top 50 player rankings

NOTE #1: I tried not to react too much to anything that’s happened so far this year, but there are certainly going to be some changes I made that will probably draw some criticism (Hell, I’m not even completely happy with everything I did). I welcome it. The fun part about sports is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If we all thought the same way it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.

NOTE #2: I sincerely hope this doesn’t end up 10,000 words, but I can’t make any promises.

Here’s who got bumped from my original top 50: You’d think in a contract year Paul Millsap (#47 previously) would be having a career year, but he’s actually having a down year compared to the previous two…Roy Hibbert (#44) is averaging 9.9 points and 8.3 rebounds, which is all fine and dandy until you consider the following four things: (1) Both of those numbers are down from last year, (2) He’s 26 years old and has no injury history, so there really isn’t a good reason why those number should be done, (3) He’s averaging a pedestrian 9.9 points on putrid 42% shooting, (4) This wouldn’t be a problem if he wasn’t 7’2 and the starting center on an eastern conference contender… Monta Ellis (#43) gets bumped because there is only so much value I can place on a guy who scores 18 points per game on 18 shots per game when he is supposed to be “the guy.” Look out for that previous sentence to appear again soon… Ricky Rubio (#42) is playing like he spent a little too much time backyard wrestling rather than playing basketball when he was rehabbing his knee… Eric Gordon (#41) has been ravaged with injuries, and until he proves he can stay completely healthy I have to keep him off the list… Does Indiana really miss Danny Granger (#36) that much?… Remember that huge game Manu Ginobili (#27) had this year? Yeah, me neither… Steve Nash (#18) just doesn’t look like Steve Nash anymore… Andrew Bynum (#15) just doesn’t look like Andrew Bynum anymore. He looks more like Frederick Douglass… Dirk Nowitzki (#12) just doesn’t look like Dirk Nowitzki anymore. But let me say this, I hate my own decision to leave him off, and I’d still want to go to war with Dirk Nowitzki in the playoffs… whatever that counts for.

Now it’s time to get to the twelve toughest omissions, in no particular order whatsoever.

Nikola Pekovic/Nikola Vucevic: Who would’ve thought that two Europeans named Nikola would be quality NBA centers?

Brandon Jennings: “There is only so much value I can place on a guy who scores 18 points per game on 18 shots per game when he is supposed to be ‘the guy.’”- Sonny Giuliano

Jan 23, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (center) looses the ball while driving to the basket against New Orleans Hornets forward Ryan Anderson (left) and Anthony Davis (right) during the second half at the AT

Ryan Anderson/Anthony Davis/Greivis Vasquez: Maybe the name is a bit of a letdown (New Orleans Pelicans isn’t completely terrible, but doesn’t Bayou Ballers have a pretty nice ring to it?), but the future is definitely bright in New Orleans. If not for nagging injuries, Davis could very well be in the rookie of the year race. Ryan Anderson is doing typical Ryan Anderson things (17 points, 7 rebounds per game, 1^st in the league in 3 pointers made). And has there been a bigger surprise this year on an individual level than Greivis Vasquez. When he was in Memphis it seemed like he was destined to thrive as an overconfident bench player. Now in a starting role, he is running a very young Hornets team and doing extremely well. The most interesting statistic of the year might be that Greivis Vasquez is 3^rd in assists this year.

Kemba Walker: Sure, Kemba might not be carrying the Bobcats on his back like he did with Connecticut a couple years ago, but he has been the second biggest bright spot for the Bobcats franchise. In case you were wondering, the biggest bright spot is the prospective name change back to Hornets, and potentially rocking the old school teal pinstripe uniforms.

J.J. Hickson: I still have a place in my heart for one of my favorite Cavaliers of the LeBron James era (soon to be continued?) and what’s not to like about Hickson? In just 29 minutes per game, J.J. Hickson is averaging 13.0 points and 10.8 rebounds, and is third in double-doubles with 26.

Omer Asik: The Billy Rosewood look-alike is making the most of his increased minutes in his first season as a Rocket. He still lacks a strong offensive game, but the big Turk rebounds the ball at a high rate and is a defensive presence in the middle.

Mike Conley: On one of the most disruptive defensive teams, it all starts with Mike Conley who has developed into one of the best defensive point guards in the league, on top of being a quality game manager and big game player. With Rudy Gay gone and Tony Allen not displaying much of an offensive repertoire, Conley will likely shoulder a larger offensive burden.

David West: The ever-changing status of David West’s value is currently sitting at “underrated.” He was a borderline All-Star this season, and was my 2nd toughest cut from the Top 50.

JR Smith: This one might draw some criticism considering JR Smith was considered by many an All-Star snub. That may be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that JR Smith is a volume scorer who shoots 40%, and has had way too many 7 for 18 type shooting nights to be considered in any higher regard.

I’m looking at this top 50 list as if it were a freezing cold swimming pool. You can’t tiptoe your way into it; you’ve got to dive right in. So here we go!

50. Jamal Crawford (Previously Unranked)
Let me start this off by saying this cut-off spot was a dead heat between JR Smith and Crawford, but there was only room for one of the two. Both Smith and Crawford have had buzz worthy seasons; each of the two got a little too much hype, and a little too much talk sounding like “Even though he’s coming off the bench he’s been the 2^nd best player for his team this year,” leading me to believe that people have quickly forgotten about reigning Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler and the most marketable under 25 player in the NBA, Blake Griffin; each player benefited from a strong opening month of season (After November, JR Smith has shot 39% and Jamal Crawford has shot 40 %.) Ultimately, I decided on Crawford over Smith because I trust Crawford late in games over Smith. Plus, I like the name Jamal better than Earl.

49. Ty Lawson (Previously #46)
When Andre Iguodala came over to Denver in the offseason (we’ll be getting to him in a jiff) I expected Denver to be an offensive machine of some sort (In their defense, Denver is 4^th in the league in points per game. I guess my expectations were a little bit out of hand). Maybe I slightly overrated that pick-up. Or maybe I overrated the potential progression of Ty Lawson, whose shooting and free throw percentages have dropped.

48. John Wall (Previously #37)
The good news for sports fans in the Washington area: When John Wall is healthy and in the lineup, your team is significantly better. Smile! The bad news for sports fans in the Washington area: John Wall has only been on the court in 13 games this year. To make matters much worse in Washington, Robert Griffin III and Stephen Strasburg can’t stay healthy either. Maybe don’t smile.

47. Joe Johnson (Previously #35)
Joe Johnson’s Financial Advisor: “Joe, why are you buying a yacht? Didn’t you watch the 30 For 30 about how athletes recklessly spend all of their money and end up broke?”

Joe Johnson: “Yeah, I saw it. But did you check out my bank account? I’ve already been paid over $100 million in my career, and I’ve still got $87 million coming on my current contract!”

Joe Johnson’s Financial Advisor: “I understand that Joe, but in the last two months you’ve bought a yacht, two houses, a fire truck, an aquarium and ownership in an Italian soccer team. You’re spending way too much money.”

Joe Johnson: “You don’t get it. I’m an above average player with no exciting qualities to my game and a general lack of charisma. Yet somehow, I’m the sixth highest paid player in the whole NBA. I can buy whatever the f*** I want!”

46. OJ Mayo (Previously Unranked)
Mark Cuban is a billionaire. I’m far from it. But oddly enough, Cuban and I have something in common. Most likely, both of us are probably surprised by the free agency developments from the summer of 2012. Mark Cuban probably didn’t expect to have to settle on OJ Mayo, who was coming off a two year stretch of disappointing basketball, as his marquee free agency pick up. Maybe Cubes knew something that I didn’t know, because I didn’t expect Mayo to get back to the level he was playing at during his time at USC and his first couple of years in the league. 

45. Rudy Gay (Previously #32)
44. Nic Batum (Previously on Toughest Omissions)
Here is how I justify putting Nic Batum ahead of Rudy Gay: Batum is two years younger, a better outside shooter (the numbers so say), a better facilitator on the offensive end, arguably a better defender, completely willing to punch opponents below the belt if need be, and from a salary cap standpoint, he has a much more desirable contract. Additionally, part of the criteria I use is the role a player fills on their respective team, and how well he fills that role. Gay and Batum can do all of the same things on a basketball court, only Batum is viewed as one of the best complimentary pieces in the NBA and Rudy Gay is going to be billed as the go-to-guy in Toronto (to some degree he had this same label in Memphis). Maybe Gay will go all James Harden on me and make me regret saying this, but I’m not buying any stock in “Rudy Gay as the best player on an NBA team.”

43. Anderson Varejao (Previously Unranked)
I left Varejao off the list the first time around because in the previous two seasons he’d only played in 56 games. So what’s the difference this year, a season cut short at only 25 games? Well, it was pretty clear that Varejao would likely have been an All-Star if he’d stayed healthy (14.1 points, 14.4 rebounds per game gets him in even on a bad team). Even more important than that is the fact that the Gina Montana lookalike could’ve very well ended up the feature piece in a trade that would drastically swing the title picture. For the last six years you could argue that Varejao was one of the very best role players in the league. He knows his niche and never tries to do something he can’t do. I can’t think of any contender that couldn’t use a healthy Andy Varejao.

42. Kenneth Faried (Previously on Toughest Omissions)
You know what Kenneth Faried is? He’s the slightly undersized Anderson Varejao on speed. I swear that was meant as a compliment. I love watching Kenneth Faried play basketball. He’s actually one of my favorite players to watch. He brings energy that not every player brings, and the stats show it pays off. Faried is 11^thin the league in rebounds in only 29 minutes per game and might be the leading candidate for the “Most Difficult Player to Box Out Because He’s Running Around Like a Damn Maniac Award… presented by Kia.”

Feb 2, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

41. Damian Lillard (Previously Unranked)
18.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists. Those are pretty impressive numbers for a rookie point guard, right? I’d say that’s probably a Rookie of the Year worthy stat line, agreed? Actually, that’s definitely a Rookie of the Year stat line, because that stat line doesn’t belong to Damian Lillard. It belongs to Kyrie Irving. Those were Kyrie’s numbers last year. Lillards numbers? 18.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists. I’m not saying Lillard is Kyrie Irving, I’m just saying these numbers made me go “Hmmm.”

40. DeMarcus Cousins (Previously #40)
I decided to leave DeMarcus Cousins right where I had a few months ago because in my eyes nothing about him has changed in the last… well, I guess since he was a freshman at Kentucky. He’s still immensely talented. He’s still unquestionably nuts. He’s still on the absolute worst possible team he could be playing for. Until Cousins either gets traded or improbably grows up, he’s not going to reach his full potential.

39. Carlos Boozer (Previously Unranked)
It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense that I would move Boozer up 20 or so spots from my first list. In retrospect, I looked at the massive contract he got back in 2010 and saw how Booz was underperforming, and I penalized him for that. He shouldn’t have completely been left off the first time around. Statistically, Boozer is putting up basically the same numbers as he had the previous two years in Chicago, only now in Derrick Rose’s extended absence, his consistent double-double numbers are all the more impressive.

38. Brook Lopez (Previously Unranked)
Three reasons why Brook Lopez didn’t make the list the first time around: 1. He played in only five games in the 2011-12 season; 2. Over the previous two seasons he posted embarrassing rebounding numbers (6.0 in 2010-11, 3.6 in his five games in 2011-12); 3. Despite his impressive repertoire, his teams have always sucked. A bonus fourth reason was because his brother Robin had much cooler hair. This season Lopez returned, he’s healthy and is up to 39 on the midseason list. Why? He’s one of the most talented offensive big men in the league, he’s rebounding at an acceptable rate (7.2 per game), he’s established himself as a rim protector, and thanks to some offseason moves (both personnel wise and the geographical move to Brooklyn) the Nets are relevant once again. I’ll give a good chunk of the credit to Brook Lopez since Deron Williams has been disappointing this year (just ask Avery Johnson how he feels), and really, how much credit can you give to the always stoic Joe Johnson?

37. Greg Monroe (Previously #39)
There is a new rule pertaining to Greg Monroe… whenever you are talking about him, you have to be super quiet since that’s how he carries himself on and off the court. Most people don’t realize that Monroe is an extremely gifted offensive player, a top 15 rebounder and has an extremely high basketball IQ. He goes to work night after night for an exceedingly crappy team. He’s a true professional.

36. Andre Iguodala (Previously #23)
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? There is a history of players greatly benefiting from their time with USA Basketball. In the season immediately following the 2008 Summer Olympics, LeBron James won his first MVP Award, made his first All-Defensive team and led Cleveland to 66 wins in the regular season. Kobe Bryant won his first post-Shaq title and Finals MVP. Dwight Howard won his first Defensive Player of the Year Awards en route to leading the Magic to the NBA Finals. Dwyane Wade, coming off knee surgery, led the league in scoring, improved his scoring average by 6 points per game, and took Miami to the playoffs. Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, and Chris Paul all improved statistically. Let’s run through this again only in the 2010-11 season after the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Derrick Rose won the MVP, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led the Thunder to the Conference Finals, and Kevin Love had a 53 game double-double streak. When you play with Team USA, you see how the best players in the world compete day in and day out, and you take your game to the next level. I expected Iguodala to make that kind of jump after a summer in London and a trade to Denver. He hasn’t.

35. Paul George (Previously on Toughest Omissions)
“When Danny Granger is out of Indiana, don’t expect the Pacers to drop off too much. George will be well capable of being the man in place of Granger.” This is what I said about Paul George on September 9^th, 2012. Indiana is currently 28-19, tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference, and only three and a half games back of first place. I know what I’m talking about every once in a while.

34. Serge Ibaka (Previously #49)
After Oklahoma City traded James Harden a few days before the beginning of the regular season, the big question other than “Why does Kevin Martin’s jump shot look so squirrelly but still go in” was “Is Serge Ibaka ready to establish himself as something more than a destructive shot blocker?” The answer is yes. Serge is still far from an offensive savant, but he’s scoring 13.8 points per game on 56% shooting, both improvements from last season.

Jan 18, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng (left) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

33. Luol Deng (Previously #34)
For some reason, Luol Deng is one of my favorite players in the league. He went to Duke, and he plays for a rival team of LeBron James, but it’s hard for me not to appreciate one of the most underappreciated players in the game. Deng has stepped up his game big time in the absence of Derrick Rose, and does so logging huge minutes every night for the last three seasons. He’s the only player in the league playing 40 minutes per game this year. He’s a damn work horse.

32. Al Jefferson (Previously #33)
Utah is 26-22 and in the Western Conference playoff picture despite the terrible lack of explosiveness on the perimeter. Their most effective backcourt player, Mo Williams, has missed half of the Jazz games, so Utah’s success is in large part because of the play of Big Al and the rest of the Utah frontcourt. In a league where slash and kicks and screen and rolls are the popular offensive options, it doesn’t hurt to have someone like Jefferson to throw it inside to and watch go to work.

31. Al Horford (Previously #31)
30. Josh Smith (Previously #28)
Since it seems as if the Atlanta Hawks are primed to make a move before the trade deadline, it’s time for another rousing fun-sized round of, “Make up fun fake trades on ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine that will likely never happen.” Get psyched!

Trade #1: Atlanta gets Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace; Los Angeles gets Josh Smith and Al Horford.

NOTE: Dwight’s from Atlanta so there is a chance Atlanta could lure him into making a commitment to stay long term and being the face of the franchise (As fickle as he is, I could see it happening). Additionally, you can’t convince me this trade doesn’t make Los Angeles a whole lot better. They keep a good young player in Horford for four years, and J-Smoove is a free agent this summer so the Lakers don’t need to take on his salary if they don’t want to.

Trade #2: Atlanta gets Goran Dragic, Marcin Gortat and Channing Frye; Phoenix gets Josh Smith and Devin Harris.

NOTE: Again, this one isn’t too radical. Phoenix is going nowhere, so why not make this move and either clear some cap space while completely rebuilding, or retain a top 30 player in the offseason. Atlanta gets two good, young, European players who could give the Hawks a burst going into the stretch run of the season. Plus, Atlanta gets really big if they start a lineup with Horford at the four and Gortat at the five. A team like Miami might have some trouble with that.

Trade #3: Atlanta gets Dwyane Wade; Miami gets Al Horford and Louis Williams.

NOTE: I had to.

Whoa, we’re almost 4,000 words in! Why don’t we wrap this up and tackle the rest of the list next week. Deal? Deal!