Top 5 NBA Players at Every Position in 2012

In this lockout-shortened 2012 NBA season, some of the usual suspects have been performing at a high level, while some younger players have emerged as top-tier guys.

The youth movement in the league has gained momentum, and Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade will be the only All-Star starters over 30 years old. 

With so many players taking another step towards stardom, the list of "elite NBA players" has started to change.

Here are the top five players at every position based on players' performance in the 2012 season. 

Centers No. 5: Roy Hibbert

The stats: 13.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg

The rest: Roy Hibbert has been an important part of the upstart Pacers' success so far this season.

The big man has always shown the ability to score with his back to the basket but has taken a step up as a rebounder this season. 

He has 11 double-doubles this year, and at 7'2", he's a defensive presence around the rim.

Many factors have contributed to Indiana's surprising start, but none are more important than Hibbert's play in the middle, which has earned him a trip to the All-Star Game.

Centers No. 4: Al Jefferson

The stats: 18.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg

The rest: Al Jefferson has scored more points than any center in the league besides Dwight Howard. He is a beast on the low block and has exposed many below-average post defenders this year. 

Facing a lot of competition for minutes on his own team, Jefferson has done nothing but produce.

Injuries sidetracked his career a few seasons ago, but he has reestablished himself as one of the league's best back-to-the basket players.

Centers Honorable Mention: Marcin Gortat

The stats: 15.2 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg

The rest: Marcin Gortat has proved this season how effective he can be when given a chance to start and be a primary target in a team's offense.

He has flourished since being traded to Phoenix and currently leads the team in scoring.

The Pole has put up similar numbers to Roy Hibbert and Marc Gasol, but both of those guys are All-Stars, leaving Gortat with only a consolation prize for this list.

Centers No. 3: Marc Gasol

The stats: 15.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.2 bpg

The rest: The Grizzlies gave Marc Gasol a sizable contract in the offseason, and he has shown his appreciation by averaging a double-double and having an All-Star season.

Gasol has the size and touch to score with his back-to-the-basket and the refined skill set to step into the mid-range and knock down a shot.

He has never averaged double-digit rebounds for a full season but looks poised to break that threshold this year.

Centers No. 2: Andrew Bynum

The stats: 17.1 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 2.0 bpg

The rest: Andrew Bynum is another player who has elevated his game this year and has solidified his status as the second-best center in the NBA.

Bynum's play this season has earned him a starting spot in the upcoming All-Star Game. He still needs to become a more consistent scorer, but he has been dominant on defense and on the boards this season.

His size and length make him a special talent, and this season, he has finally started to put it all together.

Centers No. 1: Dwight Howard

The stats: 21.0 ppg, 15.4 rbg, 2.2 bpg

The rest: The safest statement an NBA fan can make is calling Dwight Howard the league's best center.

He currently has a prototypical stat line for a big man and is the three-time defending Defensive POY. 

Howard has been the subject of constant trade rumors, but his production on the court has not slipped at all.

Despite criticisms from Shaquille O'Neal, there's no center in the game as dominant as Dwight.

Power Forwards No. 5: Pau Gasol

The stats: 16.8 ppg, 10.2 rpg

The rest: Pau Gasol has taken a lot of flack for his level of play, but he's still one of the most-productive players at his position.

Gasol has taken a back seat to Andrew Bynum on many possessions, which has contributed to a drop in scoring but has still been a very efficient player.

He's making 50.8 percent of his field goals and is averaging three assists.

He may no longer be one of the top two or three power forwards in the league, but he's still top five.

Power Forwards No. 4: Chris Bosh

The stats: 19.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg

The rest: The oft-forgotten member of Miami's Big Three stepped up his production in a big way when Dwyane Wade was out with an injury. 

Bosh took a more-involved role in the offense when Wade went down and had four 30-plus point games when the All-Pro guard was out.

When Wade and James are both in the lineup, Bosh's touches are limited, but the Heat can always count on the forward to score when they need him to.

Power Forwards Honorable Mention: Dirk Nowitzki

The stats: 17.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg

The rest: Dirk Nowitzki was selected to All-Star Game more for past performance than his current level of play. 

Nowitzki is a unique player who is truly unstoppable when he's shooting well.

But this season, his scoring has dropped, and he's putting up five points less than his career average.

He's also shooting 21 percent from three-point range, which is not good enough to earn a spot on this list. 

Power Forwards No. 3: LaMarcus Aldridge

The stats: 23.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg

The rest: LaMarcus Aldridge has developed into one of the best scoring big men and is a true outside/inside threat.

After being snubbed from the All-Star Game last year, Aldridge has continued to improve and is the unquestioned focal point of the Blazers' offense.

He has scored the second-most points of any power forward, and his play has given the NBA no choice but to invite him to Orlando.

Power Forwards No. 2: Kevin Love

The stats: 25.0 ppg, 13.7 rpg

The rest: Kevin Love's improvement over his first four seasons in the league has been dramatic.

This year, Love has entered the NBA's pantheon and is truly one of the game's elite players.

His fundamentals on the glass are flawless, and last season, he became the first player since Moses Malone to average 15 rebounds a game.

This year, he has shown the ability to score from anywhere on the court and has even managed to get people excited about the Timberwolves.

Power Forwards No. 1: Blake Griffin

The stats: 21.4 ppg, 11.0 rpg

The rest: Blake Griffin came into the 2011-12 season with a new point guard and new endorsement deals but the same fearless assaults on the rim.

His dunk on Kendrick Perkins was one of the greatest highlights in the game's history.

Beyond the Sportscenter Top 10, Griffin has played excellent basketball. He's a perfect complement to Chris Paul and has the highest field goal percentage of any power forward (53.9).

Griffin is both the most exciting and best player at his position.

Small Forwards No. 5: Andre Iguodala

The stats: 13.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.2 apg

The rest: Andre Iguodala has led a Philadelphia team that is 18-8 and has the best defense in the league.

Iguodala has always been an excellent perimeter defender, but he has become truly destructive this season, averaging 1.9 steals a game.

The Sixers are playing excellent team defense, and Iguodala has been at the center of everything.

His unselfish play and hustle have earned him his first All-Star selection.

Small Forwards No. 4: Rudy Gay

The stats: 18.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg

The rest: Rudy Gay missed the Memphis playoff run with an injury but has returned strong in 2011-12. 

Gay resumed his role as the top scoring option for the Grizzlies when Zach Randolph got injured.

He has shown a complete offensive game, and with his length and athleticism, he has the ability to be a premier defender.

When Randolph comes back, the two can form an imposing one-two punch.

Small Forwards Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce

The stats: 18.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.7 apg

The rest: Paul Pierce was injured to start the season but came back and produced just as he has his entire career.

Boston had four All-Stars last year, but now, Pierce is the only one to make it back.

However, Boston has struggled this season, and Pierce is scoring four points less than his career average. He's also shooting just 42 percent from the field.

His offense is not as good as Carmelo Anthony's, and his defense is not as good as Andre Iguodala's, which leaves him off this list.

Small Forwards No. 3: Carmelo Anthony

The stats: 22.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.3 apg

The rest: Carmelo Anthony has been asked to do nearly everything for the struggling New York Knicks so far this season.

Melo has flourished in his career when he has played with a solid point guard, and the Knicks are thin at that position. This has forced Anthony to take on more of a distributing role, which has limited his scoring.

His team may be struggling, but Anthony can still score like few other people in the league can, as shown by his points per game average.

Small Forward No. 2: Kevin Durant

The stats: 27.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.4 apg

The rest: Kevin Durant is the two-time defending scoring champion and has his team atop the Western Conference. 

Durant is also shooting over 50 percent from the field and continues to be a leader for a Thunder team that's turning into a juggernaut.

At only 23 years old, he has several years before his prime; that's a scary thought given how good he has been this season.

Small Forward No. 1: LeBron James

The stats: 28.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 6.9 apg

The rest: LeBron James is simply the best basketball player in the world.

He fills up a stat sheet more consistently than any other player and is a destructive force on defense.

His athleticism allows him to do things on the court that no one in the history of the game has been able to do. This season, he has added some moves to his post game and has been electrifying when playing without Dwyane Wade.

He's shooting a ridiculous 54.6 percent from the field and will likely earn his third MVP award in four years.

Shooting Guards No. 5: James Harden

The stats: 16.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.5 apg

The rest: James Harden has brought instant offense to the Thunder's second unit this season, and it has helped OKC to the best record in the NBA.

Harden has mastered his role off the bench and also stays on the court for crunch time minutes. He's the third-best scorer on a Thunder team that has dominated the competition so far.

He has not wasted opportunities, and among shooting guards who are averaging 15 or more points, only Ray Allen and Dwyane Wade have better field goal percentages than Harden (47 percent).

Shooting Guards No. 4: Monta Ellis

The stats: 22.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.1 apg

The rest: Monta Ellis has scored more points per game this season than any shooting guard not named Kobe. 

The Warriors may be struggling, but Ellis has been consistently productive. He has a higher usage rate than any SG besides Bryant and Dwyane Wade, meaning his team relies on him heavily.

He has also been unselfish this year, averaging more assists than any player at his position.

Shhoting Guards Honorable Mention: Kevin Martin

The stats: 18.0 ppg, 2.6 apg, 3.0 rpg

The rest: Kevin Martin has been an excellent scorer this season and ranks fifth in points per game among shooting guards.

However, he has not been especially efficient this season, shooting 42.5 percent from the field and just 33.8 percent from beyond the arc.

His defense has been suspect for his whole career, and scoring is the only thing he does well.

But Houston is currently fourth in the Western Conference, and with his team playing good basketball, Martin gets a nod for his work this season.

Shooting Guards No. 3: Joe Johnson

The stats: 18.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.7 apg

The rest: Joe Johnson has been the leader of a Hawks team that has been very good to start the season.

Atlanta is just four games behind the conference-leading Bulls and two games behind the Miami Heat. The shooting guard's play has earned him another trip to the All-Star Game. 

Without Al Horford, Johnson and Josh Smith have formed a dynamic one-two punch to lead Atlanta to its current 16-7 record.

If Johnson keeps playing at a high level, the Hawks could challenge for one of the top spots in a wide-open East.

Shooting Guards No. 2: Dwyane Wade

The stats: 22.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.1 apg

The rest: Dwyane Wade is one of the NBA's premier players but has not shown enough this season to make it to the top spot at his position.

Wade has battled injuries this season, and his numbers are down across the board when compared to his career averages. That being said, Wade's presence on the floor changes a game.

He can do things on the court that no one else can and has the Heat on track for another run to the finals.

Shooting Guards No. 1: Kobe Bryant

The stats: 29.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.3 apg

The rest: At 33 years old, Kobe Bryant is leading the NBA in scoring.

He has single-handedly propped up a Lakers offense that has struggled to adapt to new system.

Los Angeles has not started as well as it has in past years, but that was expected with several new faces in the locker room. Bryant, however, has been an offensive tear and had a four-game stretch of 40-plus point games earlier in the season.

His production this year simply cannot be matched by any other shooting guard across the league.

Point Guards No. 5: Tony Parker

The stats: 18.9 ppg, 7.7 apg

The rest: Tony Parker ranks in the top 10 in both points and assists among point guards.

He was selected to his fourth All-Star Game and has led the Spurs to an 18-9 record which puts them at second in the West.

Parker has been the best player on San Antonio and has not showed any signs of slowing down due to age.

There has never been this much talent at the point guard position in the NBA, but Parker's play this season has kept him in the top tier at his position.

Point Guards No. 4: Deron Williams

The stats: 20.9 ppg, 8.6 apg

The rest: Even though the Nets have struggled this year, Deron Williams has still been incredibly productive.

He's third among point guards in points per game and tied for fifth in assists.

Williams has a complete offensive game and is effective in the pick-and-roll or in isolation situations.

He's as strong and skilled as any point guard in the league and has continued to prove so all season.

Only a subpar Nets team is keeping him from ranking higher on this list.

Point Guards Honorable Mention: Steve Nash

The stats: 15.0 ppg, 10.1 apg

The rest: Steve Nash is currently the only player in basketball averaging double-digit assists. The ageless point guard was just selected to his eight All-Star Game.

Nash has continued to rack up assists even though there are not a lot of potent offensive players on his team. He continues to be astonishingly efficient and is shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three-point range.

However, his scoring average and his team's record are keeping him just outside of the top five.

Point Guards No. 3: Russell Westbrook

The stats: 22.7 ppg, 5.8 apg

The rest: Russell Westbrook is averaging more points per game than any point guard in the league.

His athleticism and speed make him a special player, and he has been a constant source of energy for the Thunder, who are atop the Western Conference.

Westbrook took flack last season for not coming through late in games but has not let the criticism affect his play.

His current scoring average is the highest of his career, and he has helped Oklahoma City become the third-highest scoring team in the league.

Point Guards No. 2: Chris Paul

The stats: 18.4 ppg, 9.1 apg

The rest: Chris Paul has brought the Clippers out of 30 years of irrelevance.

For the first time in the franchise's history, fans are talking about Los Angeles' second team as a championship contender.

Paul simply makes everyone on his team a better player when he's on the floor. He's a remarkably efficient player and is shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 47.2 percent from three.

The Clippers are the fourth-highest scoring team in the league and have the third-best record in the Western Conference.

The team owes nearly all of its success to Paul.

Point Guards No. 1: Derrick Rose

The stats: 22.0 ppg, 7.8 apg

The rest: Derrick Rose had an MVP-season last year and has continued to dominate in 2011-12.

His ability to finish at the rim is unparalleled by anyone at his position.

Rose sets the tone and is the unquestioned leader of the Bulls on both offense and defense.

Chicago has the best record in the NBA, and it's all due to Rose's play. He's more valuable to his team than any player in the league and has been the best point guard so far this season.