LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and the 10 Best Current NBA Players

The NBA is a star driven league. During the 2011 season, some stars have shined brighter than others. Whether it's lighting up the scoreboard, high-efficiency scoring, great passing, or just pure clutch performances; they're all here. 

These rankings are not based on career achievements, but simply a focus on the 10 best players in the league at this moment.

Enjoy.

10. Dirk Nowitzki

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 17: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of Germany of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball over Trevor Ariza #1 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 17, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 9

Dirk Nowitzki is having another banner year with 23 points per game and seven rebounds per game. He has been very efficient, shooting 52 percent from the field.

The Mavs are once again among the Western Conference's elite teams, but are a long shot for an NBA title. Dirk has failed to take his team back to the finals since 2006 and his time may be running out. Until then, he has to settle for a spot on the bottom of our list.

9. Rajon Rondo

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 11, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

I went back and forth on who should get this spot out of Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul. Paul has been great all year and deserves a spot on this list. The problem is Rajon Rondo has been the glue that holds the Eastern Conference champs together. The big three in Boston is now the big four, and everyone has taken notice. Quite frankly, Rondo just makes the game so easy for his teammates. Rajon commands all eyes to be focused on him at all times and creates so many headaches for defenses. Paul may be a much better scorer, but Rondo makes up for that difference with clutch plays.

Besides, Kobe Bryant has never asked to personally check Chris Paul.

My point exactly...

8. Amar'e Stoudemire

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on February 2, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

STAT has finally become a superstar.

All it took was a change of scenery and MVP like play. Amar'e Stoudemire loves the attention in the Big Apple, it is written all over his face. The New York Knicks have struggled after a hot start to the season, but expect Carmelo Anthony to change the fortunes of the Knicks. Also, expect Stoudemire to become more comfortable in New York and his numbers to steadily rise.

7. Kevin Durant

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NEW YORK - DECEMBER 22: Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 22, 2010 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o

Coming into the 2011 NBA season, we expected Kevin Durant to top this list. Durant has not played poorly, he just hasn't blown us away. KD is still a scoring machine, but has not been able to dominate games like other stars. Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have had their way with the young phenom this season. Still, no need to panic, Durant will take the next step in due time.

6. Dwight Howard

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball for two of his game-high 40 points against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90. NOTE TO USER: U

Double-double machine Dwight Howard is having a stellar year. He continues to dominate the paint, offensively and defensively. His teammates have not been as successful after questionable trades. Howard has to figure out a way to get his team involved while still dominating the game. If the Orlando Magic find their chemistry, Dwight will surely benefit.

5. Carmelo Anthony

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks on the court against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on February 23, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o

Why all the Melo' drama this past February?

It's because Carmelo Anthony is a top five player in the NBA. Carmelo's dream of playing for the New York Knicks finally came true. He didn't disappoint either, getting a win in his Knicks debut. Anthony can score the basketball anytime he wants to. He seems committed to improving on the defensive end; which will eventually have him higher on this list.

4. Dwyane Wade

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 31: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat drives the lane during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena on January 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

Dwyane Wade is sometimes underappreciated. When you play alongside the reigning MVP, your play can sometimes be ignored. That doesn't mean Wade is not having another spectacular year. Wade is among the league leaders in scoring, and his Miami Heat team is making a title push.

Dwyane remains one of the few players in the NBA who can get to the rim at will and take over a game.

3. Kobe Bryant

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 10: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he made a shot in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics on February 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers defeated the Celtics 92-86. NOTE

The Black Mamba may have lost a step this year, but Kobe Bryant is still one of the best players in the league. The fire and will of Kobe has the Los Angeles Lakers as the favorites for the title once again. Bryant has seemed a bit more comfortable this season being the facilitator for the Lakers. He has deferred to Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum much more this year; while continuing his own attacks up the all-time scoring list.

Look for Kobe to remain among the league's best for a few more years.

2. Derrick Rose

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 04: Loul Deng #9 of the Chicago Bulls watches as his teammate Derrick Rose #1 dunks the ball against the New York Knicks at the United Center on November 4, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

I'm turning into a huge Derrick Rose fan...

You should too...

The Chicago Bulls point guard has been exceptional this season leading the Bulls to the third spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite key injuries to Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, Rose has thrived by being the leader so many teams desperately need. He has rallied his troops for very impressive victories against the NBA's elite (Spurs, Lakers, Heat). This shouldn't have shocked us, but somehow we didn't see this coming so soon.

He has a very bright future in the league, and may be the face of the NBA sooner than later.

1. LeBron James

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INDIANAPOLIS - FEBRUARY 15: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat is pictured during the NBA game against the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse on February 15, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Heat won 110-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowled

Say what you may about the King, but the numbers don't lie. LeBron James has put up MVP numbers once again this season when many skeptics said it couldn't be done. At 26 points per game, seven rebounds per game, and seven assists per game, LeBron is playing what he now calls "LeBron James basketball."

The Heat are right behind the Celtics for best record in the East, and it is simply because of James. His counterparts Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have lagged at times this season while LeBron remains consistent. Derrick Rose may be right behind James, but he's not quite ready to take the throne.