NBA Playoffs 2012: Power Ranking the Top Stars Midway Through First Round

Just midway through the first round of the 2012 NBA postseason, the stars have begun to shine and the cards have begun falling into place. From the defending champions' early exit to a couple of triple-doubles, it's not hard to pick out the great from the good.

The key, however, is picking the elite from the great.

While deciding upon such at this point in the postseason may be premature, it's important to acknowledge the players who have made great contributions. Therefore, it's time to break out the old power rankings and get the job done.

Honorable Mention: Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies

In an attempt to make up for missing out on the Memphis Grizzlies' magical run through the playoffs in 2011, Rudy Gay has been dominant in 2012. He's averaging 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals and shooting well across the board.

He's also been a key player in the Grizzlies' lone victory and hardly one to blame in their two one-point losses.

Should Memphis pull off a comeback victory and steal the series from the Los Angeles Clippers, Gay's name should see a rise up this list of rankings. Should they fail to and Gay maintains this caliber of play, he may still take that leap from great but unknown to star status.

Postseason Averages: 21.3 PPG—6.3 RPG—2.0 SPG—48% FG—38% 3PT

10. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade has shot better than 47 percent in all four games against the New York Knicks, shooting under 50 percent just once. He's also shot 61 percent or better on two separate occasions, all while taking 17 or more field-goal attempts in three of four games.

While LeBron James has received the respect and notoriety for his play, Wade has been the most efficient player in this series. He's averaging just 2.5 turnovers, much less than LeBron's average of 4.3 for the series and 6.5 over the past two games. He's also shooting better, scoring similarly and dominating on the defensive end.

Postseason Averages: 21.5 PPG—4.3 APG—3.3 RPG—3.0 SPG—1.0 BPG—55% FG

9. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

When your star point guard is suspended and you respond with 36 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, you better believe your name will be on this list. When you continue the pace by going 14-of-14 from the free-throw line in Game 3 and 10-of-13 from the field in Game 4, you better believe you're worthy of much more than an honorable mention.

Since his Game 1 debacle, Pierce has shot 43 percent from distance and averaged 27.0 points per game. He's also averaging 7.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.

While Pierce doesn't receive the recognition of a LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony, yet another great postseason is showing what people fail to acknowledge as true: Paul Pierce is elite. More importantly, Paul Pierce is the only one of those three player with a ring.

And boy does he looks ready to win another one.

Postseason Averages: 23.3 PPG—6.8 RPG—3.0 APG—0.8 BPG—0.8 SPG

8. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

After two games, Russell Westbrook had staked his claim as the best player in the postseason. He had averaged 28.5 points, 3.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals while leading the Thunder to two one-possession victories. Most importantly, star teammate Kevin Durant was shooting 34 percent from the field.

Unfortunately, Westbrook just hasn't kept the pace.

After shooting 52 percent from the floor in the first two games, Westbrook closed out the series by shooting 35 percent from the floor and averaging just 16 points per game. He did raise his assist number to 5.0 per game, though—something that has to inspire hope in those "Westbrook isn't a point guard" readers.

Postseason Averages: 22.3 PPG—4.3 APG—3.8 RPG—2.3 SPG—45% FG

7. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

The fact that Kevin Durant finished the Dallas series shooting 45.5 percent from the field may be one of the greatest statistical achievements in postseason history. The reason behind this claim is the fact that he was shooting 34.1 percent after 44 shot attempts through Games 1 and 2.

Durant achieved this feat by shooting 61 percent over the final two games, including an 11-of-15 shooting performance in Game 3. The efficient shooting led to a 31-point outburst.

As for those hung up on his 5-of-17 shooting and seven turnovers in Game 2, his 10 rebounds and 14-of-16 shooting from the free-throw line was key to the Thunder's three-point win. Not the best play of his career, but an excellent turnaround in the second half of the series. 

Postseason Averages: 26.5 PPG—7.5 RPG—3.8 APG—1.8 BPG—1.0 SPG

6. Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers

Andrew Bynum opened up the postseason by posting the Los Angeles Lakers' first postseason triple-double since 1991 and tying the postseason record for blocks in a single game. The Lakers center followed that performance with 27 points and nine rebounds in Game 2, 18 points and 12 rebounds in Game 3 and 19 points and 7 rebounds in Game 4.

So, who's the best center in the NBA?

It's worth noting that Game 3 was the only time Bynum truly seemed to struggle, shooting less than 50 percent and failing to find a rhythm at any point in the game. The outing marked two negative milestones: the first time Bynum shot less than 60 percent from the field and the only time the Lakers have lost, thus far.

Thus far, Bynum has made quite the case for having been the most impressive player in a Lakers uniform.

Postseason Averages: 18.5 PPG—10.3 RPG—1.3 APG—4.3 BPG—60% FG

5. LeBron James, Miami Heat

LeBron James' postseason has been over-glorified by many fans, but also overly-criticized by his "haters," as the kids say. The reason for this is that he hasn't been phenomenal, but he's done what every great player does: makes up for where he lacks by contributing across the board.

His postseason field-goal percentage of 48.6 percent is quite impressive, but also rather skewed by his 71.4 percent shooting in Game 1. Since then, James is shooting just 43 percent from the field and averaging 5.0 turnovers.

He also happens to be averaging 26.0 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.7 steals. And that's all excluding his Game 1 brilliance. Give credit where it's due, folks.

Postseason Averages: 27.5 PPG—5.8 RPG—5.3 APG—2.3 SPG—4.3 TOPG

4. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul has dazzled viewers and frustrated Grizzlies fans with his leadership, scoring, facilitating and defense. He's also helped orchestrate a legendary comeback, although Reggie Evans deserves more recognition than anyone before we speak on that.

Nevertheless, Paul has been... well, himself. He's averaging 22.3 points, 9.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game. That has Paul ranked second amongst active point guards in terms of points, assists and steals.

With the Los Angeles Clippers up 2-1 and Paul averaging 26.5 points, 8.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals over the past two games, it seems as if Paul may finally reach the Western Conference semifinals. It also seems he is ready to make on final push for the MVP award.

Should the Clippers finish off their unexpected defeat of the Memphis Grizzlies, he may just get it.

Postseason Averages: 22.3 PPG—9.3 APG—3.7 RPG—3.3 SPG

3. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

For those who are ready to criticize Kobe Bryant for his play over the past two games, here's a fun fact: Not only does Bryant remain the NBA's leading postseason scorer, but he's averaged more rebounds and assists over the past two games than LeBron James.

Who would've thunk it?

In Games 3 and 4, Bryant averaged 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. Over the first two games of the series, Kobe Bryant averaged 34.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and shot 49 percent from the floor.

In other words, Kobe Bryant has done it all and made it look easy along the way.

Postseason Averages: 28.3 PPG—5.8 RPG—4.5 APG—1.3 SPG

2. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs have won each of their games with the Utah Jazz by double digits. As a result, Tony Parker's statistics have been tempered by a Game 2 performance that saw 18 points and nine assists in just 28 minutes of play.

Take away Parker's limited brilliance in the second game of the series and he's averaging 27.5 points, 7.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds on 55 percent shooting. After the limited play, Parker's statistics "drop" to 24.3 points, 7.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds on 56.5 percent shooting.

So you tell me, what's there to complain about? More importantly, who has been more efficient? I'll give you a hint: no one.

In fact, Tony Parker is the only player on this list who hasn't had a bad game.

Postseason Averages: 24.3 PPG—7.7 APG—3.7 RPG—56.5% FG

1. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

As much as I'd like to note Rajon Rondo's suspension, it's near impossible to do so. 20 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and four steals in Game 1 are a nice place to start in terms of reasoning.

For all readers who sent me to the wolves for claiming Rajon Rondo was the best point guard in the NBA, please watch the Celtics series with the Atlanta Hawks. We may soon find common ground.

Rajon Rondo currently leads all postseason players in assists per game, averaging 3.7 more than the second-place Chris Paul. He's also first in steals and sixth amongst active point guards in terms of points per game.

Rondo matched Andrew Bynum's early dominance, providing the Celtics with a triple-double in Game 3 by going off for 17 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. Just to prove a point, Rondo decided to round the stat sheet off by tallying four steals and proving that he's the best two-way player at his position.

Game 4 wasn't much prettier for the Hawks, as Rondo posted 20 points and 16 assists. He also shot 8-of-11 from the floor, hit two three-pointers, grabbed three rebounds and swiped three steals.

Let the debate begin... Again.

Postseason Averages: 19.0 PPG—13.0 APG—7.0 RPG—3.7 SPG—49% FG