Yesterday, I tackled the Eastern Conference, and today I’ll look at the West.

THE NO-BRAINERS

1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
28-5-5 plus the best record in basketball. It’s a two horse race right now for MVP and Kobe might be the frontrunner.

2. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs
He’s averaging 26-8-3 for the resurgent Mavs.

3. Kevin Durant, Thunder
He’s posting 29-7-3 for a very dangerous OKC squad. How scary is it that he’s only 21 years-old?

4. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
‘Melo is scoring better than ever (30-6-3) thanks to increased efficiency from the field (48%) and the charity stripe (87%)

THE REST

5. Tim Duncan, Spurs
Once again, he’s averaging a quiet 20-10-3 with 1.9 blocks. He’s even nailing 74% of his free throw attempts.

6. Brandon Roy, Blazers
He’s averaging 23-5-5 and hitting 48% of his shots. The Blazers are sitting at #5 in the West.

7. Chris Paul, Hornets
New Orleans is just two games above .500, but is only 1.5 games out of a playoff spot and 5.5 games out of the #2 seed. Paul is averaging 20-5-11, with 2.3 steals per game.

8. Steve Nash, Suns
The Suns have struggled of late, but are still #6 in the West. Nash or Amare? Tough call, but I’d rather have a point guard that averages 19-3-11 and makes everything happen on offense. Without Amare, Nash would still be Nash, but without Nash, would Amare still be Amare?

9. Deron Williams, Jazz
Utah is sitting in the #9 spot, but are just 4.0 games out of second place. Williams is posting 19-4-10, while shooting a high percentage from the field (50%) and long range (40%).

10. Zach Randolph, Grizzlies
Let’s be honest: We all laughed when Memphis took on Randolph’s big contract, but the Grizzlies are winning and Randolph is averaging 21-12-2 while shooting a seven-year high (50%) from the field.

11. Tyreke Evans, Kings
We’re getting into “should any of these teams get two All-Star nods” territory, and I’d rather go with Evans, who is averaging 21-5-5 for the suddenly competitive Kings. He’s averaging 23-5-6 in January.

12. Pau Gasol, Lakers
The Lakers are the only team deserving of two All-Stars in the West, and despite missing 17 games, Gasol is the next best player on the squad. A case could be made for Andrew Bynum, but Phil Jackson is down on his defense.

Honorable Mention: Amare Stoudemire (21-9) is having a great season, but the Suns aren’t going to be the only other team in the West with two All-Stars, so the spot goes to Gasol, who would normally be a shoe-in if not for his injury problems this season…Chauncey Billups is posting 18-3-6, but is only shooting 41% from the field…Carlos Boozer is having a great contract year — 19-11-4 with 53% shooting — but the Jazz don’t deserve two All-Stars…Russell Westbrook (16-8-5) looks like he’ll be the second Thunder player to make the All-Star Game, maybe in a year or two…Andrew Bynum (16-8-1) has played more games than Gasol, but Phil Jackson doesn’t think his defense is there yet…Chris Kaman is averaging 20-9-2 and was once the subject of trade talk. Now he’s part of the Clippers’ core…Tony Parker is having his usual season (17-3-6) but the Spurs don’t look elite right now…Aaron Brooks (19-2-5) is having a good season, but the Rockets are a very balanced team… As much as Randolph, Rudy Gay (20-6-2) and O.J. Mayo (19-4-3) have helped to bring the Grizzlies back to respectability…Monta Ellis (26-4-5, 2.3 steals) is tearing it up on a bad Warriors squad…David West (18-8-2), LaMarcus Aldridge (16-8-2) and Al Jefferson (18-10-2) all deserve mention, but not serious consideration.


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