LaMarcus Aldridge taks over No. 1 spot in SheridanHoops.com MVP rankings

RANK	PLAYER	RUNDOWN	LAST
1		LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE, F, PORTLAND: Breaks Paul George’s two-week hold on the top spot because he has been relentlessly efficient for a team that has been relentlessly successful. Also didn’t have a hiccup week like George did. His totals in the four games since the last rankings are 104 points and 68 rebounds. Blazers are 9-1 this month, BTW.	2
2		LeBRON JAMES, F, MIAMI: If he makes his first shot in tonight’s mega-tilt against Indy, he’ll be shooting 60 percent for the season. Mere mortals simply do not do that. Michael Jordan never did that. This guy is the most confident, most amazing player in the league, and there comes a time when I need to bow down and stop holding him to a higher standard. Finished one assist and one board shy of consecutive triple-doubles in his last two games. Can’t wait to see whether he takes over from the get tonight. I imagine he will.	4
3		KEVIN DURANT, F, OKLAHOMA CITY: Another 30 points last night for 12 this season, and Thunder are rolling with a seven-game winning streak. Can they get it to nine by winning at The Alamo on Saturday? That is the Clash Of The Titans game playing second fiddle to tonight’s Pacers-Heat battle. But I’ll be watching, and next week’s rankings will reflect whether he passed or failed that midseason test.	3
4		PAUL GEORGE, G-F, INDIANA: Quite a drop for a team that still leads the East, but I have not seen the mojo from previous weeks. And it remains to be seen how Danny Granger’s return impacts him and Pacers. They hadn’t had a bad loss all season until Monday’s home setback to Pistons, who are better than people think. Detroit is 100-1 to win the title but has the personnel to beat Miami in a series with size up front and scoring of Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Jennings.	1
5		CHRIS PAUL, G, LA CLIPPERS: How did I have this guy seventh last week? Need to switch from cough syrup to ice water and make amends. As the Kamenetsky Bros. pointed out in their Power Rankings, do not sleep on this guy or this team. Yes, they have flaws. But they also have a dynamo of a point guard who has gone for 20-plus points in five straight games after failing to reach that mark in the previous seven. Too soon to say if Clippers are locked in as the No. 4 seed? Maybe not, unless Portland falls back to earth.	7
6		TONY PARKER, G, SAN ANTONIO: Temptation here is to bid au revoir to Top 6, but I can’t hate on a guy too much even if his team did lose by 23 to the Clippers — and winless in last four vs. quality foes (Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers). Spurs winning the games they’re supposed to, still have a better record than Miami and always mail in one or two during regular seasons. Further judgment awaits Saturday night’s home game vs. OKC.	5
7		JAMES HARDEN, G, HOUSTON: We should know Thursday who new running mate will be after Omer Asik gets traded. If it is Spencer Hawes, I think GM Daryl Morey lands best possible fit for team’s needs — unless he winds up with Rajon Rondo, a possibility I outlined in this column. Throw out his 3-for-17 clunker vs. Phoenix on Dec. 4, and point totals from last eight are 31, 37, 34, 27, 26, 25 and 25. Second in NBA in minutes; imagine if he had a better PG alongside him.	–
8		STEPHEN CURRY, G, GOLDEN STATE: Treaded water while Andre Iguodala was out and are lying in weeds out West with perfectly constructed team – as long as their top six stay healthy – and most underrated coach not named Terry Stotts. Curry averaging Durant-like 29 ppg in December. In my top 3 as most enjoyable players to watch (with Kyrie and LeBron). Memo to Kamenetzky Bros. and the rest of you: Don’t sleep on them.	8
9		RUSSELL WESTBROOK, G, OKLAHOMA CITY: That seven-game streak earns a second Thunder a spot in the Top 10, and again I will forewarn y’all that whatever he does against Spurs on Saturday will weigh heavily next week. Over/under on his turnovers is at 5 1/2, but I also predict he will outscore Parker by at least 5 1/2 points. And if he does and Thunder win, another au revoir will be on the way for our favorite Frenchie.	–
10		KYRIE IRVING, G, CAVS. Cavs one player away from the real deal. As long as it’s not Iman Shumpert, I will continue to take Chris Grant’s phone calls. It certainly seems like a personality clash with Irving that has Dion Waiters on the block. How deep it runs could be forcing Grant’s hand. If other GMS realize he is motivated seller, he come close to equal value. Meantime, I’ll go back to my 2012-13 habit of watching Cavs games at 7 p.m. as long as they don’t clash with Pacers games.	–