RANK |
Player |
RUNDOWN |
RECENT |
1 |
 |
REGGIE JACKSON, G, OKLAHOMA CITY: OKC has the NBA’s best record and Jackson’s emergence is a big reason why. The 23-year-old is playing so well, many pundits believe the Thunder are better than they were with James Harden as sixth man. His role is growing, averaging 11.5 shots in December.
|
1 |
2 |
 |
MANU GINOBILI, G, SAN ANTONIO: Had his best game of the season Wednesday with 24 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in 27 minutes at Phoenix. Sure, he’s 36 and looked finished after the NBA Finals. But his PER is back up to 20.22 – better than Tony Parker’s |
3 |
3 |
 |
MO WILLIAMS, G, PORTLAND: Turned 31 this week but you couldn’t tell based on his play. Over his last five games, averaging 10.6 points, 5.2 assists and just 1.6 turnovers. His ability to space the floor has been crucial: shooting 45 percent from deep in 22 wins but 11 percent in five losses.
|
2 |
4 |
 |
JAMAL CRAWFORD, G, LA CLIPPERS: Moved into the starting lineup as J.J. Redick continues to rehab and has delivered with 17 points in each of his last three games. Clips have won five of six and back on track after a 1-3 start this month.
|
4 |
5 |
 |
NICK YOUNG, G, LA LAKERS: With Isaiah Thomas now a starter in Sacramento, Young is the NBA’s leading bench scorer with 16.6 points. Shooting over 40 percent from deep, and the Lakers are 10-9 when he comes off the bench. Most importantly, LA is outscoring opponents by six points per 100 possessions with him on the court. |
– |
DROPOUTS: Jeremy Lin, G, Houston (5).
FIVE TO WATCH: Tyreke Evans, G, New Orleans; Markieff Morris, F, Phoenix; Ramon Sessions, G, Charlotte; Rodney Stuckey, G, Detroit; Dion Waiters, G, Cleveland.
PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Rookie | Most Improved | MVP | Sixth Man | Power
Jacob Eisenberg is a student at Emory University and covers the NBA for SheridanHoops.com. Check out his website and click here to follow him on Twitter.