NBA Power Rankings: Where Does Derrick Rose Stand in the MVP Race?

So as we close in on All-Star Weekend, we're almost at that point of the NBA season: The point where every game becomes important to positioning and jockeying for playoff spots.

It's also the time when we can start having some serious discussions about the MVP race, one which seems to be wide open right now with some of the best players in the league. James, Wade, Durant, they've all been named in turn with the MVP.

Somewhere in that list is Derrick Rose, who's also having a great season for the very surprising Bulls; who are serious contenders in the Eastern Conference. So where do all of these guys stack up, especially the dynamic Rose?

Here are the MVP Power Rankings.

10. Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 30: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets puts up a shot over Steve Nash #13 and Channing Frye #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets

It wasn't that long ago that Paul wanted out of New Orleans. But as the Hornets have had a mini-renaissance in the West, so has Paul. He's putting up his usual sturdy numbers (third in assists, fifth in free-throw and three-point percentage), but something's different this year.

He's taken somewhat of a rag-tag bunch, save for a few pieces like David West, and turned them into a solid playoff team in the uber-competitive West. And like it's always been in New Orleans, the Hornets go as Paul goes.

9. Deron Williams, PG, Denver

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz won 103-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Despite what might or might not have happened between him and now former coach Jerry Sloan (Williams has publicly said he didn't do anything to push Sloan out), there's no doubting the talent Williams has. 

He's having a career year in terms of scoring (21.6 points per game) and also averaging nearly a double-double with assists per game. But his greatest worth is that now without Carlos Boozer, everyone knows who's getting the ball at the end of the game.

Yet, Williams keeps coming up big.

8. Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User

Kevin Durant may be the star, but Westbrook might be the straw that stirs the drink for the Thunder.

His key numbers have improved every year, including averaging 22 points and eight assists per game, while his steals, rebounds and shooting percentages are all career-highs. His turnovers are still an issue, but he's having a career year and has become the No. 2 option to Durant in OKC.

7. Dwight Howard, PF/C, Orlando

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ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic drives against Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Amway Arena on February 13, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

It's hard to think that Howard has never really been thought of as an MVP candidate considering how much of a high profile he's had.

But he's also never had a season like he's having right now, either. Howard is 12th in the league in scoring, second in rebounding, third in field goal percentage and fifth in the league in blocks. The Magic have always somewhat followed him, but this year Orlando goes as Howard goes.

If he can continue to develop a post-up game, he would be lethal.

6. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot over Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Nowitzki is continuing to have a Nowitzki-like season, scoring in bunches and being the man in Dallas as he has been his entire career. 

But the most telling stat about Nowitzki's worth is 2-7. That's the record Dallas' had while Nowitzki missed nine games with a knee injury earlier this year. Truth of the matter is the Mavericks are a different team when Nowitzki is healthy. He provides size to the frontcourt and a legitimate go-to guy at the end of the game.

The Mavericks really don't have that without him.

5. Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on February 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

It's hard to leave anyone who's averaging close to 25 points and eight assists per game off the list, but perhaps the more impressive thing about Rose is how he's doing it.

We all know he's the guy who makes the Bulls go, and when Chicago missed out on Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, the Bulls brought in Carlos Boozer instead. But Boozer has been riddled with injuries all year, meaning Rose has had to take on more of the offense, not that he wasn't doing that before.

But his all-around game has improved considerably, which is scary considering how good he already was.

4. Dwayne Wade, SG, Miami

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 11: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat gets in for a dunk while playing the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills on February 11, 2011 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Miami won the game 106-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

We all wondered how two elite scorers like Wade and LeBron James would fit on the same team, since each player is accustomed to being the guy for so many years. We all probably assumed that one of, if not both, would see their scoring go down somewhat.

Well, Wade is still doing his thing, averaging 25 points a game while shooting 49 percent from the field, which is unreal for a guard. His free-throw percentage and assists are down somewhat, which is expected since he's not a fantastic free-throw shooter and James handles more of the distribution duties.

But when it comes to scoring and doing his thing, Wade is doing just fine.

3. Amar'e Stoudemire, PF, New York

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks posts up against Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

It's funny that you don't hear Stoudemire mentioned that much in terms of MVP talk considering he's second in the league in scoring, shooting 50 percent from the field and averaging 8.6 rebounds per game. 

But the most important thing he done can't be measured in statistics: He's made the Knicks relevant again. Once again, the Knicks are in the playoff hunt and the rest of the league cares. For the first time in a long time, there's a real buzz at MSG and the Knicks faithful have hope again.

Not bad for a guy considered a booby prize during the offseason.

2. Kevin Durant, SF, Oklahoma City

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is

One of these days, he has to win one, doesn't he?

Durant may well be taking the reigns from Kobe as the most dominant scorer in the NBA. He can drive, he can shoot, he can get to the line, he can do it all.

He's leading the league in scoring, averaging almost 30 points per game (29.6 to be exact), and leading his team to possibly the No. 4 seed in the West and home court advantage for the Quarterfinals. The sky is the limit for himself and the Thunder, and he can carry them very far very soon. 

1. LeBron James, SF, Miami

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 13: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat battles Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics ffor control of the ball at TD Garden on February 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

James may be starting to accept his role as the villain (or possibly live down that Nike commercial), but it hasn't affected his play one bit.

Since the return to Cleveland, James has been the old James. He's averaging seven assists per game, which is right around what he usually does, meanwhile he's still third in the league in scoring. He's somewhat taken on the responsibility of being the distributor and still been able to make plays as he usually does.

In other words, it's the same old LeBron. But the Heat have to be hoping he's not the old LeBron in the playoffs, too.