Best in League: CP3's Shooting Too Good To Ignore

Welcome to the first of many Best in League rankings. This will give us an opportunity to discuss not who the MVP is, but who is playing the best basketball in the NBA.

Too often players are left out of MVP consideration because of their teammates' poor play. In recent years it's been almost a requisite that the MVP also be on one of the best three teams.

That doesn't make a whole lot of sense because those teams are generally deep and would, in most cases be OK, without that player. On the other hand guys like Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade (until last year) carry the entire load on their shoulders and are somehow punished for that in the voting.

Kobe Bryant led the Washington Generals to the playoffs while scoring 57 points per game and lost to small, defensively challenged caveman playing on a stacked team. In what world does that make sense?

Anyway, these are the guys who are playing the most exceptionally.

Apologies to

Fg percentage- Carmelo, Wade, Martin
Turnovers- Nash
Almost- Chris Kaman

5: Dwight Howard

18 points on 65 percentage shooting, 11 rebounds, 1.4 blocks.

Dwight gets better every year on offense and his defense is top notch. It would be nice to see some more shot attempts from the big man, even if it means sacrificing the leagues best shooting percentage.

He remains the top center in the league

4: Chris Bosh

30 points on 50 percentage shooting, 11.5 rebounds, 1 block, .75 steals, 1.75 turnovers

Bosh is tearing it up in Toronto and is obviously headed toward a huge payday this offseason. He's even playing some defense which has never been a strong suit of his.

At this rate he'll be able to take a max contract anywhere he wants which depending on this year may be Toronto.

3: Kobe Bryant

34 points on 49 percentage shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 3.1 TO

Leading the league in points is one thing for Kobe, but doing it while on pace to shoot a career high is another. He's playing like a man who wants another title. Bad...

Now more than ever, he seems unstoppable. Like a fine wine he is getting better with age.

It's a testament to the next two players that a Kobe this good isn't even top two.

2: Lebron James

28 ppg on 52 percent shooting (39 percent from three), 8 rebs, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals, .8 blocks, 4.1 TO

Lebron is doing exactly what the Cavs need him to. He terrorizes defenses and pretty much does everything expected of anyone labled "The King"(except decide on a free-agent destination).

The four turnovers per game are a bit of a concern, but he more than makes up for it by being a star in every other aspect of the game.

1:Chris Paul

26 ppg on 62 percent shooting (63 percent from three), 9.5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 2.2 TO

The only thing keeping Paul from the top of the MVP race is the Hornets' otherwise abysmal performance.

His shooting percentages are god-like. He's on a record setting pace for both three-point percentage and field goal percentage by a guard. In fact, at this rate his regular shooting percentage would be the highest anyone under 6'10" has ever had.

Combine his scoring with the best assist/TO rate of any starter in the NBA (despite a cast that has been anything but adequate) and you have the guy playing the best ball in the NBA.

His defense has been phenomenal, despite the Hornets' overall failure adding even more reason for his No. 1 ranking.