The third-year point guard has guided the Hornets to the best regular season in franchise history. He leads the league in assists and steals and ranks second in assist-to-turnover ratio.
He has always been the most talented player in the league, but this year he has maxed out his roster. Despite numerous injuries, the Lakers are set to enter the playoffs as the West's top seed.
James has put together a sensational year, and with a team of better talent or fewer injuries he might be the front-runner for MVP.
Garnett has transformed the Celtics in all kinds of ways, and he is the closest thing there is to Bill Russell in the modern NBA.
Howard turned the corner in his fourth season and joined Chris Paul as an MVP candidate. He has 10 games of at least 30 points and 15 rebounds this season.
The two-time MVP will finish with a double-double average in points and assists for the fourth consecutive season.
He's been the MVP of the defending champions this season while moving in and out of the starting lineup.
Pierce and the Celtics have produced the biggest single-season turnaround in NBA history.
The 2007 MVP's quick comeback from an ankle sprain helped push the Mavs into the playoffs. After a slow start offensively, he has shot better than 51 percent from the field since the All-Star break.
Whether he's called a forward or center, Duncan remains a consistent force whose teams have won 70 percent of their regular-season games in his 11 years.
His 212 assists in March were the most in a month in the NBA since John Stockton's 215 in January 1992. Williams is shooting better than 50 percent from the field from the point-guard position.
McGrady noses ahead of Allen Iverson and Baron Davis because of the meaningful work he's done to lead the Rockets into the playoffs since the season-ending foot injury to Yao Ming.
Anthony, the NBA's fourth-leading scorer, has made the Third Team each of the previous two seasons.
Boozer is one of five players averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Stoudemire, who has split time at power forward and center, ranks in the top six in scoring, blocked shots and shooting percentage.