Report Card Grades for the NBA's Top 50 Players at the All-Star Break

Reputations are at risk.

Many of the NBA’s best are failing to live up to their sky-high expectations. If they continue to perform below the bar that was set, their rep will suffer.

Just to clarify, this isn’t a power ranking. Here’s how this is going to work: players will be ranked according to the reputation of their skill that they’ve displayed over the past couple of years (so no Jeremy Lin).

While talent and recent accomplishments will determine the order, a player’s performance in the first half of the season is what will be graded.

Here are report card grades for the NBA's top 50 players at the All-Star break.

50. Danilo Gallinari

Why No. 50?

Danilo Gallinari is an extremely gifted offensive talent and this year, and he's finally putting his arsenal on full display. He is single-handedly making the Carmelo Anthony-New York Knicks trade look like a win for the Denver Nuggets.

Grade: B+

After flashing potential over the past couple of years, Gallinari has stepped up as the Nuggets' No. 1 offensive option. He is averaging 17.0 points and 5.2 boards a game this season.

49. Roy Hibbert

Why No. 49?

Roy Hibbert is one of the few true centers in the league who is equally skilled on the offense and defensive end. This season, he was voted into what will be his first of many All-Star games.

Grade: B+

Hibbert is averaging 13.4 points and 9.6 boards this year for the Indiana Pacers. While the 20-12 Pacers are on the rise due to an impressive team effort, the former Georgetown Hoya's play deserves a ton of credit for the improvement.

48. James Harden

Why No. 48?

James Harden's emergence as a playmaker has catapulted him into these top-50 rankings. His versatile skill set—featuring the ability to spot up, finish at the rim, create off the dribble, run an offense and play stellar defense—makes him an invaluable asset to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Grade: A

Harden is a serious candidate to win the Sixth Man of the Year award this season. He is averaging 16.8 points, 3.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds leading the Thunder bench.

47. Monta Ellis

Why No. 47?

Monta Ellis is one of the most talented pure scorers in the NBA. He isn't what you would call efficient, but he has his fair share of effective moments.

Grade: C+

Golden State continues to lose just enough games to keep themselves out of the Western Conference playoff picture. That won't change until the Warriors realize that Ellis and Stephen Curry can't coexist in the same backcourt.

46. Kevin Martin

Why No. 46?

Kevin Martin is a less flashy, less erratic Monta Ellis, and that's definitely a good thing. Skill wise, he's one of the most underrated players in the league.

Grade: B-

Martin is only averaging 18.1 points a game this season. He is capable of boosting his scoring totals, and if he picks up his performance, the now 19-14 Houston Rockets will be a threat come playoff time.

45. Nene Hilario

Why No. 45?

Nene is capable of being an explosive offensive performer. He doesn't offer much on the other end of the court, but he displayed dominance in the playoffs last season.

Grade: C-

He predictably isn't living up to the massive contract that he signed this past offseason. Nene is only averaging 13.4 points and 7.8 boards a contest.

44. Greg Monroe

Why No. 44?

Greg Monroe hasn't exactly solidified his reputation as one of the NBA's top players, but after a shaky rookie campaign, his performance this season can't possibly be ignored.

Grade: A-

Detroit is just 11-23, but if Monroe didn't blow up this season, they'd be in the running for worst team in the league. The second-year big is in the running for the Most Improved Player award.

43. Ryan Anderson

Why No. 43?

Ryan Anderson is arguably the top three-point shooting power forward in the NBA today. His combination of size and shooting range is unrivaled.

Grade: B+

If the NBA Finals Orlando Magic team had this year's Ryan Anderson instead of Rashard Lewis, they would've pushed the Los Angeles Lakers to their limit. Starting next to Dwight Howard, he's averaging 16.3 points per game. 

42. DeMarcus Cousins

Why No. 42?

The 6'11", 270-pound DeMarcus Cousins is a man among boys in the paint. As soon as he stops acting like a child, he'll be a force to be reckoned with.

Grade: A-

On an inconsistent Sacramento Kings squad, Cousins' strong play has been a constant. He is averaging 16.7 points and 11.3 boards this season in Sac-Town.

41. Paul Millsap

Why No. 41?

Paul Millsap is one of the most underrated players in the league. Despite a lack of height, the Utah Jazz forward consistently produces night in and night out.

Grade: A-

Somehow, someway, an untalented Utah team has a record of 15-16. Millsap, along with his 15.8 points and 9.3 boards, is a key reason the Jazz aren't competing for a top-five draft selection.

40. Carlos Boozer

Why No. 40?

Carlos Boozer would be a monster if he were two inches taller and never had to play in the postseason. While the Chicago Bulls power forward is supremely skilled offensively, seven-footers give him nightmares.

Grade: B

Boozer is only averaging 15.6 points a game this season. Coming from a guy that consistently averaged 20 with the Jazz, his production is a huge disappointment. Luckily for his report card, Chicago is rolling.

39. Andrea Bargnani

Why No. 39?

Andrea Bargnani is a top-15 player on the offensive end. If he ever decided to man up on the glass or on defense, he'll be the player that the Toronto Raptors expected him to be when they selected him first overall.

Grade: B+

While Toronto is 9-23 overall, they're 6-7 with Bargnani in the starting lineup. Sure, that's not a playoff-caliber record (scratch that, they're in the East), but there's no doubt that the Raptors miss his 23.5 points a game.

38. Kyle Lowry

Why No. 38?

The Houston Rockets love Kyle Lowry so much that they won't include him in a trade for Pau Gasol, who they also adore. Lowry has solidified himself as the franchise point guard and leader of the Rockets.

Grade: A-

Lowry is averaging 15.7 points, 7.7 assists and 5.2 rebounds this season in H-Town. His emergence will make the Rockets a scary team to face off against in a seven-game series.

37. Gerald Wallace

Why No. 37?

Gerald Wallace is arguably the best on-ball defender in the NBA. If it weren't for a slowly decreasing vertical, he'd be a top-25 talent.

Grade: C

Wallace just doesn't fit in with the patient, methodical Portland Trail Blazers. He is only averaging 13.8 points per this season because he's a fast-break fiend, not a spot-up shooter.

36. Rudy Gay

Why No. 36?

Zach Randolph's injury has silenced all talk of Rudy Gay's supposed lack of value. He has reminded fans this season that he's one of the league's top finishers.

Grade: B

Gay is recording an average of 19.0 points and 6.6 boards this season, but the Memphis Grizzlies aren't living up to expectations. Sure, Randolph is gone, but Gay and company are capable of better than a 19-15 record.

35. Josh Smith

Why No. 35?

While Joe Johnson is showing signs of slowing down, Josh Smith is having a career year—perfect timing. Smith is as physically gifted as they come and is finally taking full advantage of his athleticism.

Grade: B+

Smith is filling up the stat sheet this season, averaging 16.0 points, 9.5 boards and 2.1 blocks a game. Atlanta is 19-13, though, and doesn't look the part of a legitimate title contender.

34. Joakim Noah

Why No. 34?

Joakim Noah is one of the strangest players in the league, but he's also one of the top glue guys. His defense and constant motor make him an asset to the Chicago Bulls.

Grade: A-

Noah's 9.4 points, 9.8 boards and 1.3 blocks don't pop out on a stat sheet, but he does all of the little things to help the Bulls win games. Chicago is 26-8 and Noah's defensive presence is a major reason why.

33. Danny Granger

Why No. 33?

Danny Granger is the best player on a rapidly rising Indiana Pacers club. His perimeter scoring ability is top notch and his size allows him bang on the boards.

Grade: B+

Indiana is 20-12 and they're still trying to gel as a ball club after acquiring David West. If they want to knock off the Miami Heat, though, Granger must boost his 18.3 points per game. 

32. Stephen Curry

Why No. 32?

Stephen Curry is a poor-man's Steve Nash. And that's pretty rich. He is a sharp shooter and plays with an Einstein-like basketball IQ.

Grade: B-

Curry is averaging 16.9 points and 6.5 dimes this season while battling through injuries. His effort hasn't been enough to carry the 12-17 Warriors back into the playoff hunt. 

31. Luol Deng

Why No. 31?

Chicago boasts one of the best defensive teams in the league and Luol Deng is its heart and soul. He is an elite wing defender and the second-highest scorer on the Bulls.

Grade: B

Deng's 15.9 points and 7.0 boards a game isn't overly impressive to begin with. On top of that, he isn't putting the ball in the basket efficiently.

30. Al Jefferson

Why No. 30?

Al Jefferson defines the term "All-Star snub." This season, he's proving that he's one of the most skilled big men in the NBA.

Grade: A

The Utah Jazz would be absolutely lost without him. His 19.1 points, 9.3 boards and 1.6 blocks a game are keeping them relevant.

29. Andre Iguodala

Why No. 29?

Andre Iguodala is the best defender on the best defensive team in the NBA. He never developed into the elite scorer many predicted that he'd become, but his ability as a point-forward is invaluable.

Grade: A-

Iggy is only averaging 12.4 points per game this season, but his 6.5 boards and 5.3 assists overshadow the lack of scoring. He is the leader of a surprising Philadelphia 76ers squad.

28. Tyson Chandler

Why No. 28?

Chandler's entire offensive production stems from alley-oops and put-backs, yet he finds his way on to the list at No. 28. That should tell you something about his defensive presence.

Grade: B

Forget Carmelo Anthony. Forget Amar'e Stoudemire. The only big name Jeremy Lin needed to string together a winning streak was Tyson Chandler.

27. Manu Ginobili

Why No. 27?

Manu Ginobili is a winner, plain and simple. He does whatever it takes—score, create, defend (see: flop)—to get the W, and despite being 34 years old, he's still physically capable of doing so.

Grade: A

Ginobili has only played in nine games so far this season, but his PER was an incredible 25.30 in those contests. It should come to no surprise that the San Antonio Spurs were 7-2 in the games that he played.

26. Kevin Garnett

Why No. 26?

Kevin Garnett's athleticism is escaping him, but his intensity has yet to fade. He is one of the most influential leaders in the game today and is still a force on the boards.

Grade: C+

The 35-year old Garnett is only averaging 14.1 points and 7.8 rebounds this season. Those numbers would be all fine and dandy if it weren't for the Celtics' 15-16 record.

25. Paul Pierce

Why No. 25?

Any athletic ability Paul Pierce had is pretty much gone. He can still put the ball in the basket, just not with the same efficiency.

Grade: C-

17.3 points, 5.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds a game are solid numbers for most players in the NBA. Not Pierce, though, who is supposed to be the No. 1 offensive option on the Celtics.

24. Tim Duncan

Why No. 24?

Tim Duncan is supposed to be washed up just like the San Antonio Spurs are supposed to be too old. He isn't the same go-to guy that he's been for the past decade, but Duncan is still one of the top big men out there.

Grade: A-

His numbers are down, but his 21.38 player efficiency rating reveals just how effective he still is. San Antonio is second in the West, and Duncan is key part of it.

23. Marc Gasol

Why No. 23?

Marc Gasol and company owned Tim Duncan's crew in the paint during last year's postseason, so naturally, he's ranked higher. And with the absence of Zach Randolph, Gasol is shining in the spotlight more and more.

Grade: A-

Averaging 15.1 points, 10.0 boards and 2.1 blocks a game this season, it's safe to say that Pau's bro is the Grizzlies' best player.

22. Al Horford

Why No. 22?

Al Horford arguably has a better jump shot than every big man not named Dirk. His skill set is phenomenal and he's a two-way player.

Grade: B

Horford is only averaging 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season. Though he is shelved for the season due to injury, next year should show further development.

21. Chris Bosh

Why No. 21?

Chris Bosh's skill set is out of this world. The only thing that's holding him back is questionable toughness.

Grade: B+

If Bosh continues to produce at the same rate for the remainder of the season, the "Like a Bosh" parody will become a compliment. He is averaging 18.2 points and 8.3 boards a game, showing why he was an All-Star in Toronto.

20. Pau Gasol

Why No. 20?

Pau Gasol is the most skilled low-post scorer in the NBA, but he's soft. His tendency to disappear from games prevents him from fulfilling his potential as an offensive juggernaut.

Grade: B-

Gasol actually isn't playing as badly as the media makes it seem. Averaging 16.6 points and 12.5 boards with a PER of 21.07 isn't exactly underwhelming production.

19. Andrew Bynum

Why No. 19?

Just ask Kobe—and everyone who watched the Lakers in the playoffs last year—and they will tell you that Andrew Bynum has officially surpassed Pau Gasol. After years of fans preaching his potential, Bynum has cemented himself as the second-best center in the NBA. 

Grade: A-

16.3 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game would be worthy of an A in most cases. But with the Lakers falling far below their sky-high expectations, Bynum and everyone else on their roster still has room to improve.

18. Tony Parker

Why No. 18?

If you blamed last year's drop off on Eva Longoria or on his own cheating, then Parker's dominance this season should come as no shock. The lightning-quick point guard is back in the discussion of the league's top floor generals.

Grade: A

Parker is the best player on a 23-9 Spurs team that no one expected to be this good. He is averaging 19.4 points and 7.8 dimes a game this year.

17. LaMarcus Aldridge

Why No. 17?

Alongside Blake Griffin and Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge holds a legit argument to being labeled the best power forward in basketball after Dirk Nowitzki declines. Aldridge picked up where he left off last season, consistently continuing to torch teams.

Grade: A-

While he's averaging 22.3 points and 8.3 boards a game, the Portland Trail Blazers are underachieving at 17-16. As their best player, he must take some of the blame.

16. Steve Nash

Why No. 16?

Steve Nash is nearly old enough to be a grandfather, but he continues to run circles around players 15 years younger than him. Nash does more with less than any other floor general in the league.

Grade: A-

Nash is averaging 11.0 dimes this season passing to Marcin Gortant and a medley of below average players. The Phoenix Suns aren't playoff contenders, but they would be contenders for the first overall pick if it wasn't for Nash.

15. Amar'e Stoudemire

Why No. 15?

There isn't a power forward in the NBA that is more gifted than Amar'e Stoudemire. When on his game, he's an unstoppable scoring machine.

Grade: D-

Stoudemire's player efficiency rating is 16.91 this season. That will cut it for a role player, but not for a star that is relied upon to carry a team and is capable of performing like an MVP on the offensive end.

14. Carmelo Anthony

Why No. 14?

In terms of penetrating, posting up and pure shooting ability, there isn't a more talented scorer in the NBA than Carmelo Anthony. If he improved his shot selection and dedication to the defensive end, Melo would without a doubt be a top-five player.

Grade: D+

Anthony is only getting a D+ instead of a D because he toughed it out and played through injury early in the season. Is it simply a coincidence that the Knicks went on a hot streak when Melo was in a suit on the bench?

13. Rajon Rondo

Why No. 13?

Rajon Rondo has everything except a jump shot. He can get to the rim with the greatest of ease, his court vision is second to none and his peskiness on defense is unmatched.  

Grade: B-

Rondo has the heart of a champion, but it'll be difficult to lead this Boston Celtics team back to the Finals. The lack of talent around him has hindered the floor general's assist average, which has dipped into the single digits.

12. Russell Westbrook

Why No. 12?

Being a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body isn't a bad thing for Russell Westbrook. His elite athleticism at the point makes him a matchup nightmare for any opposition.

Grade: A

Westbrook's 2011-2012 stat line reads 23.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 boards a game, but more importantly, the Thunder sit atop the Western Conference. He is playing more efficiently this season and if he keeps it up, OKC will be nearly impossible to knock off in a seven-game series.

11. Blake Griffin

Why No. 11?

The Los Angeles Clippers takeover of Hollywood isn't all of Blake Griffin's doing, but he deserves a huge chunk of credit. He is proving to not only be one of the most exciting athletes in the league, but one of the most dominant as well. 

Grade: A-

Griffin is averaging an impressive 21.2 points and 11.3 boards this season. If he continues to improve his jump shot, he'll be a top-10 player sooner than later. 

10. Kevin Love

Why No. 10?

Playing in Minnesota, Kevin Love doesn't draw the hype that Griffin does. But what Love lacks in flash, he makes up for tenfold in effectiveness.

Grade: A+

25.6 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. No, those aren't Hakeem Olajuwon's numbers—they are Kevin Love's. This season, he's put the lowly Timberwolves on his shoulders and carried them back to relevancy with a 16-17 record.

9. Chris Paul

Why No. 9?

David Stern—I mean, Chris Paul, single-handedly changed everything you thought you knew about the Clippers. After years of disappointment in New Orleans, he's taken the throne for Lob City this season and led an even sadder franchise back to prominence. 

Grade: A

Averaging 18.3 points and 8.7 dimes a game, Paul has helped the Clips race out to a once-unobtainable 19-11 record. In a few months, he's completely changed the culture of an underachieving young team. 

8. Deron Williams

Why No. 8?

Sorry CP3 fans, Deron Williams owns Paul in head-to-head matchups. And in a game of matchups, that's all that matters.

Grade: B-

While Williams' stat line of 22.2 points and 8.2 assists is impressive, the New Jersey Nets are still just 10-24. Of course, it isn't like he has much talent around him, but he's still capable of playing better basketball.

7. Derrick Rose

Why No. 7?

Derrick Rose is the reigning MVP, but that doesn't mean he's the best player in the league. LeBron James shut him down in the Eastern Finals. Until Rose comes up big in the biggest moments, he'll be outside of the top five looking in.

Grade: A-

His 22.0 points and 7.7 assists aren't as spectacular as last year's numbers, and the Bulls don't have the best record in the East. Second place by a half a game, though, isn't too bad.

6. Dwight Howard

Why No. 6?

Thanks to a lack of competition at the center position, Dwight Howard is the most dominant player in the NBA. A lack of a killer instinct, though, has made it difficult to challenge for a championship.

Grade: A

The Orlando Magic weren't expected to contend for a conference title, but on the back of Superman, they're doing just that. His averages of 20.3 points, 15.3 boards and 2.1 rejections a contest make him a respectable MVP candidate.

5. Kevin Durant

Why No. 5?

Kevin Durant's game features a limitless skill set, freakish physical gifts and the clutch gene. As soon as he puts it all together in the postseason, which he hasn't up to this point, he'll without a doubt snatch the crown as the No. 1 player in the league.

Grade: A+

Durant averages an efficient 27.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game. He is the unquestioned leader of the 25-7 Thunder, who are tied for the best record in the league.

4. LeBron James

Why No. 4?

Number four? Sorry LeBron, but averaging 17.8 points in the NBA Finals just doesn't cut it when you've been labeled unguardable. Scoring 18 total fourth quarter points in the Finals also doesn't do the job. 

Grade: A+

LeBron's numbers are almost jaw-dropping (fans should be used to witnessing insane regular season production). 27.9 points, 8.2 boards and 6.9 dimes per game along with an absurd 32.89 PER make him the undeniable front runner for league MVP.

3. Dwyane Wade

Why No. 3?

If you didn't live under a rock this past June, then you'd know Dwyane Wade is the man in Miami. D-Wade takes the last shot in the biggest games when it matters most, not LeBron.

Grade: A

Wade's numbers don't awe you like they have in the past because injuries have plagued the first half of his season. But he still has an incredible PER of 27.36.

2. Kobe Bryant

Why No. 2?

Only one player in the NBA is currently more unstoppable than Kobe Bryant. Until younger stars prove themselves in the real season in April, May and June, the Black Mamba will continue to reign over them.

Grade: B

Averaging 29.0 points, 5.8 boards and 5.0 dimes isn't enough to earn an A. Bryant is ranked so high because of his ability to win and the Lakers are only 19-13 this season.

1. Dirk Nowitzki

Why No. 1?

Until somebody knocks them off, the Dallas Mavericks are still the heavyweight champions of the world. And their leader, Dirk Nowitzki, epitomized unstoppable execution when it mattered most.

Grade: B-

Nowitzki is only averaging 19.4 points per game this season. Anyone who watched the playoffs last season knows that he's capable of so much more.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.  Check out his article 25 Most Disappointing Unfulfilled Legacies in NBA History.

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