1. Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard
Stats: 47.3% FG, 40.5% 3PT, 20.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.3 turnovers
Lillard has made an amazingly smooth transition from mid-major Weber State to the NBA, and leads all rookies in points, assists and three-pointers made. He's also leading the Blazers in scoring, ahead of All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge.
2. New Orleans Hornets power forward Anthony Davis
Stats: 49.3% FG, 16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.2 blocks, 1.5 turnovers
A stress reaction in his left ankle has limited Davis to just six games, but his activity level and production have been stellar when he's played.
3. Charlotte Bobcats small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Stats: 47.2% FG, 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.5 blocks, 1.6 turnovers
MKG's energy and effort has helped lead the Bobcats back to a near-.500 team, which is saying something, as the Bobcats set an NBA record for futility last year, posting the worst winning percentage in league history.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters
Stats: 38.0% FG, 40.3% 3PT, 14.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.6 turnovers
While his shot selection is still suspect, A Kyrie Irving/Waiters backcourt looks like a nice pairing.
5. Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes
Stats: 47.5% FG, 35.5% 3PT, 10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 turnovers
Barnes likely will never be an All-Star, but his solid mid-range jump shot and NBA body will likely help make him the Warriors long-term starting small forward.
6. Toronto Raptors power forward/center Jonas Valanciunas
Stats: 50.0% FG, 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 blocks, 1.3 turnovers
Valanciunas' biggest issue has been decision-making, as he's already fouled twice this season. The Lithuanian has done a great job of crashing the boards, and has been a solid compliment to the perimeter-oriented Andrea Bargnani.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Alexey Shved
Stats: 37.3% FG, 24.0% 3PT, 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.7 turnovers
Shved's shooting stroke hasn't been great this season, but his numbers should improve with the return of Kevin Love and impeding Ricky Rubio.
8. Detroit Pistons power forward/center Andre Drummond
Stats: 65.5% FG, 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 0.8 steals, 0.8 turnovers
Drummond's free throw percentage has been as bad as advertised (42.1%), but his athleticism and size have been an asset for the Pistons, as he's putting up great numbers in just 16.3 minutes per game.
9. Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal
Stats: 32.8% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 11.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.9 turnovers
The lack of a healthy John Wall and Nene put too much pressure on Beal to score early this season, but he has too good of a stroke for his shooting percentages to stay so low.
10. Milwaukee Bucks power forward John Henson
Stats: 50.0% FG, 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 0.7 turnovers
While the glut of big men in Milwaukee has given Henson inconsistent playing time, his 17 points and 18 rebounds against the Heat shows that despite his slight frame, Henson's nose for the ball and smooth athleticism make him an asset.
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