10 Most Dominant Performances of the NBA's First Quarter

The NBA season is about a quarter of the way through, and we have seen some great action to date.

We've also seen a ton of dominant individual performances throughout the league. There have been close to 40 truly dominant games already, including multiple dominant performances from the likes of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

In those cases, we're looking at only their most dominating performance of the season.

It was difficult, but we've trimmed that list down to 10.

Here's a quick look at the 10 most dominant performances so far this season.

10. Derrick Rose

Date: December 30, 2011

Opponent: Los Angeles Clippers

Stat Line: 29 points, 16 assists, eight rebounds

With all the attention Chris Paul and the Clippers were getting, Derrick Rose said not to forget about him.

The NBA's reigning MVP did just about everything in Chicago's early season 114-101 win in Los Angeles. The Clippers had no answer for Rose attacking, and when he wasn't, he made flawless decisions with the ball, always giving his teammates an opportunity for success.

9. Paul Pierce

Date: January 22, 2012

Opponent: Washington Wizards

Stat Line: 34 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, three steals

Pierce missed the beginning of the season, and it took a bit to get his legs back but he took over in a much-needed Boston win against the Wizards.

Playing without Rajon Rondo and losing Ray Allen to injury early in this one, the Celtics needed Pierce at his best, and he delivered.

He had season highs in every statistical category and shot the ball very well, going 10-of-15 from the floor and 12-of-15 from the line.

Much has been made about the age of Boston's Big Three, but on this night, Pierce showed that he could still carry this team when he has to.

8. Deron Williams

Date: January 13, 2012

Opponent: Phoenix Suns

Stat Line: 35 points, 14 assists

There haven't been many bright spots for the New Jersey Nets this season, but this performance by Williams tops the list.

It was by far his best game in a Nets uniform, and New Jersey got a rare win in a 110-103 victory over the Suns.

Williams simply took over this game, both scoring and dishing.

He tied a career high by making six three-pointers and broke the game open in the third quarter when he nailed three straight from behind the arc.

7. Kevin Love

Date: January 23, 2012

Opponent: Houston Rockets

Stat Line: 39 points, 12 rebounds

This performance by Love may have been higher on the list, but it came in a Minnesota loss.

Regardless, Love was great in this one, like he has been all year.

He put the Wolves on his back but got very little help from his teammates.

His numbers were great, and he shot the ball fantastic from the floor, connecting on 13-of-19 shots, including all five of his three-pointers.

Despite the loss, Love was dominant.

6. Greg Monroe

Date: January 12, 2012

Opponent: Milwaukee Bucks

Stat Line: 32 points, 16 rebounds

Monroe has the potential to become a dominant big man and showed what he's capable of against the Bucks.

Unfortunately for him, the dominant performance came in a loss, but it was a great performance nonetheless.

Offensively he showed the ability to knock down the jumper, but he also showed a great touch around the rim.

He finished the game an impressive 12-of-16 from the floor and knocked down all eight of his free-throw attempts.

5. LeBron James

Date: January 4, 2012

Opponent: Indiana Pacers

Stat Line: 33 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds

Just another day at the office for James.

With Dwyane Wade out of the lineup, James dominated the Pacers.

The numbers might have been even better had James not sprained his ankle in the third quarter, only to come back in the fourth quarter to continue his dominance.

4. Carmelo Anthony

Date: December 25, 2011

Opponent: Boston Celtics

Stat Line: 37 points, eight rebounds

It has been a frustrating season for Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks, but on Christmas Day Anthony turned in a dominant performance in sinking the Boston Celtics.

Anthony had 37 points in the game, but it was his fourth-quarter performance that was special, scoring 17 in the game's final 12 minutes to lift the Knicks to a 106-104 win.

3. LaMarcus Aldridge

Date: January 20, 2012

Opponent: Toronto Raptors

Stat Line: 33 points, 23 rebounds, five assists

Aldridge had to come out of this game in the first quarter because of a sore back, but he came back in and dominated the Raptors in a 94-84 Portland win.

The 33 points is a season high for Aldridge, and the 23 rebounds are a career high.

After coming back out of the locker room for the beginning of the second quarter, Aldridge finished the first half with 23 points and 11 rebounds, and he kept on rolling from there.

2. Kobe Bryant

Date: January 10, 2012

Opponent: Phoenix Suns

Stat Line: 48 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals

Bryant eclipsed the 40-point plateau for the first time in what would be a four-game stretch of 40-plus point efforts in a 99-83 Lakers win over the Suns.

He showed why he's still the NBA's best closer, breaking open a tight game by scoring 15 of the Lakers' final 17 points.

Bryant quited the critics in this one and proved he isn't quite on the decline just yet.

1. Dwight Howard

Date: January 12, 2012

Opponent: Golden State Warriors

Stat Line: 45 points, 23 rebounds, three assists, four steals, two blocks

Howard broke the single-game free-throw attempt record in Orlando's 117-109 victory over the Warriors, getting to the line 39 times thanks to Mark Jackson's Hack-a-Howard strategy.

If Howard could shoot free throws, he could have easily scored 60 points.

Howard's performance was the first time a player had at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a regular-season game since Shaquille O'Neal had 48 points and 20 rebounds against the Celtics on March 1, 2003.

He had his way early with the undersized Warriors from the opening tip and turned in the most dominating performance in the NBA this season.