NBA MVP Rankings: LeBron James takes over No. 1 spot after Week 16

RANK	PLAYER	RUNDOWN	LAST
1		LeBRON JAMES, F, MIAMI: The Heat come out of the break with a season-high seven-game winning streak; we’ll see if they can start showing some high-caliber consistency that went missing in December and January, when they mailed it in more nights than a defending champ should. Not to knock him, but James still hasn’t scored 40 this season. 🙂	2
2		KEVIN DURANT, F, OKLAHOMA CITY: Meow. (Ouch). Dude better hope Sam Presti gets help for stretch run and playoffs. When you trust the ball to high-turnover guy Russell Westbrook for 42 minutes a game (yes, they miss James Harden), there will be nights when mistakes are their undoing. Why the meow comment? Read this from Moke Hamilton, who was in OKC when they got beat up Thursday night.	1
3		TONY PARKER, G, SAN ANTONIO: The sleeper candidate. What will voters do if Spurs reel off a couple more long streaks, or maybe a 20-game run like last year? If they finish with 10 more wins than Heat or Thunder, is that a game-changer? Or do votes for Parker instead become support for Gregg Popovich for Coach of the Year? One of just two guards (with No. 7) who makes more than he misses.	3
4		PAUL GEORGE, G-F, INDIANA: Mighty Moke and I were talking about the NBA caste system during 3-point contest, and Moke said he felt sorry for George at All-Star media availability, sitting alone at a table without a single reporter asking a question. He jumps another spot because he deserves it. No player has carried his team like this guy has in the absence of Danny Granger.	5
5		CARMELO ANTHONY, F, NEW YORK: Curious to see who will be added if GM Glen Grunwald decides to move Iman Shumpert, despite coach Woodson’s declaration that “Rook” isn’t going anywhere. If he is traded for Jared Dudley, I propose a new nickname for JD – “Lazarus.” Shump may be moved for a PG, as the Knicks have no faith in Pablo Prigioni.	4
6		CHRIS PAUL, G, LA CLIPPERS: Interesting exchange at media availability when Dwight Howard was asked who is King of LA? “Magic Johnson” he said. “No, which team?” And Howard’s answer was sharp. “The 1971-72 Lakers team that won 33 in a row.” CP3 has to wait until April 7 for season sweep of Lakers. Meantime, this stat: CP3 hasn’t had more than 4 turnovers since Nov. 3. Westbrook, by comparison, has had 19 games with 5 or more.	6
7		DWYANE WADE, G, MIAMI: Not getting credit he deserves. Shooting .505 because everything is inside arc. Can these guys produce a double-digit winning streak? They need win at Chicago on Thursday on second of back-to-back to get to nine, then go to Philly Saturday. My guess? They do it. Could be wrong, but I think their mail-it-in days are over and will win East in a landslide.	–
8		KOBE BRYANT, G, LA LAKERS: They can catch Houston and/or Portland for the No. 8 spot … I think. But Kobe doesn’t have a happy camper alongside him in Howard, who longs for days when he had fun on the court. GM Mitch Kupchak told Dwight he WILL NOT trade him. But Mitch doesn’t speak for Jim Buss, who runs the show. Wouldn’t surprise me if Nets made last run at Dwight on Thursday morning. In fact, I expect it.	7
9		KEVIN GARNETT, F-C, BOSTON: Don’t believe C’s will trade KG or Paul Pierce. Also don’t believe they are a first-round out. Never underestimate this guy – or try to figure out his cryptic comments. Bonus points for trash-talking Craig Sager, calling him “fool” in joint interview with Melo during All-Star practice. How many have the cojones to do that? Mean-spirited? Yes. Accurate? Only from a fashion standpoint. Sager is good people.	9
10		RUDY GAY, F, TORONTO: Every year, there is one team that breaks out of its losing mode and makes a run out of nowhere to get into playoff contention. Raptors are my pick to be that team, and Rudy will be the reason. He is the Harden of the East. Much depends on what Bryan Colangelo gets for Andrea Bargnani. Wouldn’t surprise me if he’s flipped for a No. 1 pick y nada mas (Denver?).	10