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1. LeBron James, Cavaliers (No. 1 pick in 2003 Draft)
Key Stats: 31 GP, 20.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.58 spg, 40.2 mpg
Breakdown: By going over 30 twice in the last week (34 in Christmas Day 
classic against T-Mac and Magic, and 32 in win over Blazers), James bumped his 
scoring average over 20 points per game. Also came within one assist of notching 
his first career triple-double in Portland win. 

2. Dwyane Wade, Heat (No. 5)
Key Stats: 27 GP, 16.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.37 spg, .453 FG%, 36.4 mpg
Breakdown: Wade sprained his wrist in Dec. 26 win over Wizards, but the 
injury doesn't appear serious. "It's not a major injury there," coach Stan Van 
Gundy told the Associated Press ... Without Wade in lineup Saturday, Heat suffered 
just third loss in last 10 games. Wade has scored 20 or more in six of those 
games, and has shot better than 50 percent from the field in eight of them. 

3. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets (No. 3)
Key Stats: 30 GP, 18.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.23 spg, 35.6 mpg
Breakdown: 'Melo had standout game with career-high 37 points in Dec. 26 win 
over Houston, but sandwiched that between 15- and 10-point outings, in which 
he shot a combined 9-for-29 from the field. Regardless, second place in 
rankings is fast becoming a toss-up between Anthony and Wade. Wade gets nod this week 
due to steady play and hot shooting. 

4. Kirk Hinrich, Bulls (No. 7)
Key Stats: 24 GP, 9.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.04 spg, .353 3P%, 31.0 mpg
Breakdown: Bulls have won last two games, and Hinrich's combined numbers of 
17 points, 17 assists, 11 rebounds, four three-pointers and 83 minutes in 
back-to-back games were impressive. For December, Kansas alum is averaging 11.2 
points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 36.8 minutes. 

5. T.J. Ford, Bucks (No. 8)
Key Stats: 29 GP, 7.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.31 spg, .804 FT%, 28.4 mpg
Breakdown: After giving up six turnovers against Nets and four against 
Pistons, Bucks' Dec. 26 win over Pacers was first game of Ford's career that he 
didn't have a turnover. Milwaukee also managed to put together first three-game 
winning streak of the season over that stretch ... In 29 games played, Ford has 
only dished out fewer than four assists twice. 

6. Josh Howard, Mavericks (No. 29)
Key Stats: 25 GP, 8.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.12 spg, 22.0 mpg
Breakdown: Mavs love hard-working forward's defense and ability to score when 
needed. Howard is averaging 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 12 
games in December ... Howard's solid play is really eating into Eduardo Najera's 
minutes; veteran forward is averaging just 11.4 minutes in December. 

7. Chris Bosh, Raptors (No. 4)
Key Stats: 29 GP, 11.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.55 bpg, .470 FG%, 33.7 mpg
Breakdown: In two games over past week, Bosh managed just 13 points and 13 
rebounds combined. Struggling Raptors managed a split, however, giving them 
their second win in last nine games ... Since Raptors' trade with Bulls, skinny 
Bosh is being asked to play out of position at center. 

8. Jarvis Hayes, Wizards (No. 10)
Key Stats: 28 GP, 11.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.36 spg, .339 3P%, .851 FT%, 34.0 mpg
Breakdown: Hayes averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.67 steals in week 
that saw Wizards drop three straight. Rookie forward also shot a combined 
16-for-38 (.421) from the field over that stretch. 

9. Luke Ridnour, Sonics (No. 14)
Key Stats: 27 GP, 7.3 ppg, 2.7 apg, 1.11 spg, .372 3P%, .851 FT%, 18.8 mpg
Breakdown: Sonics have won two of last four, and Ridnour has averaged 12.5 
points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.25 steals over that run ... Now that Ray 
Allen's back for Seattle, however, they have a logjam in the backcourt, with 
Ridnour, Antonio Daniels, Richie Frahm and Flip Murray all coming off the 
bench. 

10. Kyle Korver, 76ers (No. 51)
Key Stats: 25 GP, 3.7 ppg, .471 3P%, .800 FT%, 8.4 mpg
Breakdown: Sixers like Korver's ability to fill it up in a hurry. Long-range 
marksman had 16 in Dec. 22 win over Orlando, and is 20-for-36 from three-point 
range in December ... With his long hair and surfer looks (Paul Pierce dubbed 
him "Ashton Kutcher"), Korver is fast becoming one of the most popular 
Sixers. 

Honorable mention: Steve Blake, Keith Bogans, Chris Kaman, Raul Lopez, Darius 
Songaila 

TAM