After six weeks of the season have passed, I feel that it’s about that time that I should check in to see how my list is holding up from the preseason. The purpose of this list isn’t to make changes to the original list, but to comment on how each player’s season going thus far. The All Star break will be the first time that I will actually alter the list and place the players in the order that they stand in at that point in time.

1. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers – 2008 Stats: 28.3 PPG, 5.4 APG – 2009 Stats: 24.4 PPG, 4.2 APG – Kobe’s averages in scoring and assists have gone down this season, but his team seems to be playing much better basketball. Kobe has been able to sit out the majority of 4th quarters throughout the first six weeks of this season and the team’s second loss came only due to the inability of his big men to box out in the paint at crucial times. Kobe has grown as a leader and once again is demonstrating his basketball IQ as his team holds the best record in the Western Conference.

2. Allen Iverson – Denver Nuggets – 2008 Stats: 26.4 PPG, 7.1 APG – 2009 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 5.6 APG – Since AI was traded to the Detroit Pistons he’s been taking nothing but heat from the media and fans. It’s already been labeled as a salary dump in order to get the Pistons in contention for the Lebron sweepstakes in 2010. Losing Chauncey has been a big deal for the Pistons but as time goes on, I’m sure Iverson will find a way to better mesh with Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton. In Detroit so far, his shooting percentage has slightly dropped, he is averaging one less point per game, however making up for it with one more rebound per game. Too early to say but I have to assume that he’s slightly too high on this list at this point given how the next player on the list is performing.

3. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat – 2008 Stats: 24.6 PPG, 6.9 APG -2009 Stats: 28.7 PPG, 7.9 APG – In just over a minute less of gametime each night, Wade is managing to put up four more points and one more assist each night than last season when he had the Big Diesel in the middle dunking over his opponents. Dwyane Wade has matured a lot this season and it’s noticeable by the way he is leading his team to victories. The Heat are actually relevant again in the East after last season’s collapse and Wade hopes to continue improving his team’s record. He is taking the necessary steps to be a true leader in the league, he will be competing for the MVP award this season depending on how well his team finished, and he is sure to be in the big talks come free agency in 2010.

4. Tracy McGrady – Houston Rockets – 2008 Stats: 21.6 PPG, 5.9 APG – 2009 Stats: 15.6 PPG, 4 APG – TMac’s stats have definitely taken a hit this season as his scoring is down a good amount but that was to be expected with Ron Artest and Luis Scola upgrading the Rockets offense. The injuries are also starting to catch up with Tracy as he is now reportedly taking three weeks off to rest his sore knee. There isn’t really much else to say but hopefully he gets back on track and performs at his optimal level.

5. Manu Ginobli – San Antonio Spurs – 2008 Stats: 19.5 PPG, 4.5 APG -2009 Stats: 13 PPG, 2.3 APG – Manu has missed most of the season and the Spurs have severely struggled. The team isn’t even in the top half of the Western Conference but it’s only a matter of time before they start clicking again as a unit and use their veteran leadership to pick up a few easy wins. Many has only played in is averagin only 18 minutes, almost a full ten minutes less than his career average. His numbers actually quite impressive for how little he’s been playing and I’m sure as the season progresses he will only continue to improve.

6. Vince Carter – New Jersey Nets – 2008 Stats: 21.3 PPG, 5.1 APG -2009 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 4.9 APG – Vince Carter is back. I had the pleasure of seeing him play in person against the Lakers at Staples Center last week and Vince is looking damn good. He’s flying high, shooting well, and moving graciously on the court. He’s finding his opponents at the perfect times and diong a great job controlling the games. I feel like he finally has his mojo back after several seasons of struggling with the Nets. Perhaps its the departure of Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson that have really helped him become the leader on his team, but I feel as though he is simply happier and healthier as a player.

7. Joe Johnson – Atlanta Hawks – 2008 Stats: 21.7 PPG, 5.8 APG -2009 Stats: 22.7 PPG, 5.4 APG – The Hawks got off to an amazing start this season at 6-0 until they finally lost and were sent in a downward spiral. They seem to be back to their Hawks ways but it would really be nice to see them finally have a successful regular season and finish in the upper half of their conference. The fans of Atlants would deserve it. With that said, much of the success of the team will rest on the shoulders of Joe Johnson. JJ has the ability to really become a superstar on this team and if he can contribute just a little bit more, the team will be that much better off.

8. Brandon Roy – Portland Trailblazers – 2008 Stats: 19.1 PPG, 5.8 APG – 2009 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 5.3 APG – The big man in Portland is finally playing, but the real big man is Brandon Roy. Roy has been remarkable as the Blazers have really outplayed many of their opponents and are lookign damn good. They are easily in the playoff picture in the West and are even capable of making some noise come playoff time. Most importantly, Roy’s field goal %, 3 point field goal % and free throw % are all at career highs. Someone obviously spent some time in the gym this summer working on their jumper. The All Star Break rankings may have Roy sitting a bit higher than on the original list.

9. Michael Redd – Milwuakee Bucks – 2008 Stats: 22.7 PPG, 3.4 APG – 2009 Stats: 21 PPG, 2.2 APG – Here’s a guy we haven’t heard much about this season. It may have something to do with the Bucks underperforming as usual but normally we hear about what the big star is doing. This time around, it’s just another story that gets published in local newspapers and we don’t hear all that much about around the league. When is Redd finally going to become that floor general and leader that the Bucks need in order to succeed in this league? Perhaps it has something to do with his injury, but in the games he’s played, all 5 of them, his stats have gone down. Except for one category of course, three point shooting % which has now reached a career high 44.8%.

10. Richard Hamilton – Detroit Pistons – 2008 Stats: 17.3 PPG, 4.2 APG – 2009 Stats: 16.1 PPG, 3.6 APG – The arrival of AI hasn’t affected RIP as his stats have pretty much remained consistent from last year. The numbers have slightly dropped, but not enough to worry anyone. He has been forced to adjust to a new style offense, one that doesn’t include long time teammate Chauncey Billups giving him the ball in the perfect position. Hamilton has done a great job in finding his shot and I’m sure he will continue to improve his stats as the season progresses and the offense starts to flow better with his new superstar teammate.