NBA MVP Rankings: Paul George re-takes No. 1 spot from Tony Parker

RANK	PLAYER	RUNDOWN	LAST
1		PAUL GEORGE, G-F, INDIANA: Doesn’t matter that his career-high 43 came in loss at Portland. The shots he was hitting were out of this world, and seven came from deep. Also went for 27 vs. the Clippers as Indiana’s road trip began. Now we’ll judge whether he’s worthy of keeping top spot by what he does against SA, OKC and MIA.	3
2		LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE, F, PORTLAND: Just when LeBron James was to take this spot because he is having a better statistical season than last, the Heat lay an egg at home vs. the Pistons. Aldridge, meanwhile, put up a pair of 11-for-19 showings – one vs. Indiana’s vaunted front line, which ain’t easy. He is the best player on the biggest surprise, so he stays put.	2
3		KEVIN DURANT, F, OKLAHOMA CITY: This seemed like a better place to put James, whose feats of unprecedence are being noticed by our managing editor. But KD is riding an 8-game winning streak and running away with the scoring title unless Mike Woodson (or his replacement) decides the Knicks fix is to get Melo 40 shots a night. Durant deserves a bump northward, which he gets.	4
4		LeBRON JAMES, F, MIAMI: This award is about “most valuable.” If it was about being the best, they’d just give it to LeBron and bow in deference. Remember, Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn felt ‘Melo was more valuable last season by making Knicks relevant, so he gave him his first-place vote – and denied LBJ a sweep. The top three have been more valuable to their team’s success than Bron.	5
5		TONY PARKER, G, SAN ANTONIO: By his standards, had a mediocre week. But he keeps his spot in the top 5, I reiterate that he remains the most underrespected player in the entire Association, and I’ll remind you that his Spurs have lost only three times all season despite Tim Duncan’s production falling off a cliff.	1
6		JOHN WALL, G, WASHINGTON: Yes, this is quite a bit of love for a player on a 500 team. On the other hand, .500 is third in the East (the same spot OKC has in the West), and Wall’s improvement is off the charts. His 9.2 assists are up 1.6 from last season and his 3-point shooting is no longer a joke. (For those unfamiliar with the joke, 15-of-87 last two seasons.). He has already made 22 on 64 tries.	6
7		CHRIS PAUL, G, LA CLIPPERS: Didn’t do much to move the meter (beating Indy woulda helped) but didn’t do anything to merit a demotion. Leads in assists by a ton with a career-high 12.1 (9.7 last season), is now a 90 percent foul shooter and knows when to step aside and let Jamal Crawford be Jamal Crawford. How many superstars – besides LBJ – willingly play second banana like that?	7
8		WES MATTHEWS, G, PORTLAND: No, he’s not Portland’s No. 2 scorer – that’s Damian Lillard. But he is the X-factor on offense (it’s Nic Batum on defense) and one of only five players shooting above 50 percent from the arc. Would I bet on him in the 3-point contest? Not if Ryan Anderson was competing. But someone besides LMA from PTO deserves a top 10 spot, so it’s the Ex-Cheesehead.	–
9		ROY HIBBERT, C, INDIANA: Like the Matthews-Lillard debate, we need a second Pacer in the table; you can argue David West, since Indiana is getting little from Luis Scola as he adjusts to a bench role. But Hibbert had real estate here last week, will be leading in blocks as soon as injured Anthony Davis is ineligible and anchors the NBA’s top defense (at 86.6 ppg despite last two foes reaching 100).	8
10		STEPHEN CURRY, G, GOLDEN STATE: Don’t sleep on Curry or the Dubs. Once Andre Iguodala is back (and Andrew Bogut stays healthy), they can beat anyone in West. Trick is staying in West’s top 8 among 13 legit playoff hopefuls including Lakers (with Kobe returning), Grizz and Wolves all ninth or lower. Steph gets props for scoring 27 as GSW came from 27 down (!) to beat Raptors.	–