NBA Pivot Points: The Top 10 Players in the League Right Now

The NBA regular season is racing toward an ending point, and the players who will attempt to lead their teams to postseason glory represent the best talent in the league.

Compiling a list of the NBA's top 10 players is a highly subjective venture, because even though the general makeup can be agreed upon, the order is always up for debate.

This list mirrors an earlier one I did, except the positions of the players have changed drastically as their relative impact on their respective teams have become clear.

The previous list included Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade as the league's top two players, and although they are both on this list, their positions have changed due to their respective teams' fortunes.

Distance lends perspective, and there were giant strides made by several players this season that may have been unexpected once the season began.

Who could argue with the inclusion of Kevin Durant as one of the top 10 players in the league, after his virtuoso year that has his young Oklahoma City team challenging for supremacy in the West?

This list was constructed in a manner that not only took a player's talent into account but also his impact on the team in terms of the postseason.

I'm sure there will be numerous disagreements, but remember these are opinion-based choices, and I welcome any respectful debate on the topic.

Feel free to offer your own opinions on who should have been included on this list, or what players you may have left off. Please enjoy.

10. Chris Bosh

Toronto's Chris Bosh is a legitimate superstar, and will be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market at the end of the season due to the versatility of his game.

Bosh averages 24.1 points per game and 11.2 rebounds, while shooting over 50 percent from the field, and his range extends beyond the three-point line.

He is certainly one of the premier power forwards in the league, but on a team filled with offensive firepower, the prospects for the Raptors advancing in the postseason look slim.

That has more to do with the no-defense culture of the team than Bosh's performances, but on a team with players like Hedo Turkoglu and Andrea Bargnani more is expected.

Imagine how good the Raptors could be if they even offered token defense against opponents? Maybe good enough to convince Bosh to stay in Canada past this season.

9. Brandon Roy

Brandon Roy has quietly become one of the top shooting guards in the league, and in an era where individualism is celebrated, Roy thrives in the shadows.

His meek nature fails to hide the vast talents of his game, and his 22.4 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists can be felt all over the floor.

In a season marked by adversity for the Portland Trail Blazers, Roy has been the one constant, and the player most responsible for their postseason hopes.

The Blazers may not do much once they reach the playoffs, but the fact they remain viable candidates is a testament to the enormous skills of Roy.

8. Dwyane Wade

Many will argue that Dwyane Wade deserves to be much higher on any NBA top player list, but this season his impact on his team hasn't translated into great success.

Wade's supporting cast is not the best, but it does have talent in players like Michael Beasley and Jermaine O'Neal, yet the Heat will struggle to make the postseason in the watered-down East.

Wade's 26 points, six assists, and four rebounds are strong numbers, which place him among the league's elite, but his playoff fate will likely differ from his peers.

All of the players above Wade on this list will figure prominently as contenders for the NBA title, and Wade is unable to make that claim.

Even though a first-round exit is likely if the Heat make the playoffs, it doesn't take away from Wade's amazing abilities or his standing as one of the league's top players.

7. Deron Williams

Utah's Deron Williams is the only point guard to make this list, and the injury to Chris Paul made Williams' inclusion an extremely easy decision.

Honestly, Williams may have made it anyway, because his size, vision, and tough defense may put him a notch or two above Paul in my opinion.

Williams' 18.5 points per game and 10 assists have helped the Jazz shed their image as a poor road team, and have them poised to garner one of the top four seeds in the West.

The Jazz hope to advance deep into the postseason, but how far they go is entirely dependent on Williams' ability to lead them.

6. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is the most dominant post player in the NBA on either end of the floor, and his brutish style in the paint has Orlando poised to defend their Eastern Conference throne.

Howard averages 18 points per game, which is pretty good considering he still doesn't have a true back-to-the-basket game, and once he does he will truly be a special player.

He has no such problems on the defensive end and his protection of the rim contributes to Orlando being one of the league's better defensive teams.

Howard's 13 rebounds per game are among the league's leaders, and he also rejects nearly four shots per game, which makes him a strong deterrent in the paint.

Howard is hungry for a chance to return to the NBA Finals after last season's defeat, and his play so far indicates he has every intention of making that happen.

5. Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki's seven-foot frame and perimeter-based game may make him the most difficult matchup problem in the NBA, and his recent play in the midst of a 13-game winning streak has been brilliant.

Dirk's size and his quick release makes his jump shot virtually unguardable, and his range seems to be unlimited as he can hurt you from any portion of the court.

Dirk averages 25 points per game and seven rebounds, and with the help of a trade that brought Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood into the fold, the Mavericks are pushing the Lakers for the top seed in the West.

Dallas hasn't looked this good since 2006, and if Nowitzki is able to sustain his superior play, the Mavericks have a legitimate shot to return to the NBA Finals once more.

4. Kevin Durant

The growth progression in Kevin Durant's game has been astounding, and the maturity he has shown has placed him into the league's upper-echelon of players.

Everyone knew Durant was gifted, but not many expected the 29 points per game, and the serious contention of his young Thunder team for the postseason.

durant may be the league's most versatile offensive talent, and he is capable of getting his points in bunches from either the paint or perimeter.

The most impressive thing, though, is Durant's composure, and his willingness to accept responsibility as the go-to guy for his team.

Durant has helped transform Oklahoma City from a team of the future to a potential team of right now, and it's scary to think he has yet to realize the true depths of his abilities.

3. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony has made the leap from impressive player to complete player, and his transformation has coincided with Denver's rise to the top of the Western Conference standings.

Anthony always had the skills, but it seemed he lacked the passion and desire to be recognized as one of the game's best overall players.

He has shed that image by concentrating on areas of his game like defense, rebounding, and better shot selection, as well as becoming a perfect teammate.

Gone is Anthony's indifferent manner, which has been replaced with a hunger to get back to the postseason and avenge last season's loss in the Western Conference Finals.

Anthony's new attitude, along with his 28.6 points per game, makes it highly possible that Denver may get their shot.

2. Kobe Bryant

Although it is perceived that Kobe Bryant has been having a somewhat difficult year, he is actually enjoying one of the better statistical years of his career.

Bryant averages 27.7 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting an above-average 46 percent from the field.

He has been forced to deal with several injuries and the constant criticism that follows him, but he is still the best player on one of the best teams in the league.

Bryant excels in multiple areas of the game, and his lone weakness may only be his sometimes impatient attitude with his team, which has been a topic of frequent discussion this season.

Although Bryant's numbers place him near the top of the NBA, the only numbers he really cares about are the ones which come at the end of the year.

As in championship number five, and it's hard to bet against Bryant and his resume, even in the face of recent struggles by the Lakers.

1. LeBron James

LeBron James is having one of the best statistical seasons in NBA history and has evolved into the most complete player in the game today.

James leads the league in scoring at 29.9 points per game, yet he also averages an amazing 8.5 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field.

James leads his team in every important category of note, and he means more to the success of the Cleveland Cavaliers than any other superstar does for his team.

He has worked on the few weak points in his game, such as man-to-man defense and his mid-range jumper, and he has displayed the dedication necessary to be an all-time great.

He will definitely win the league's MVP award this season; the only question is by how many votes.