We are now a third of the way through the NBA's regular season, and there has been no shortage of drama and surprises as every team looks to get into a position to enjoy success when the playoffs finally arrive.
A new year will bring fresh challenges for players and coaches, but now seems like a good time to reflect on what we've seen in the NBA so far.
Below, Sports Mole decides which five players would make it into our All-NBA first team if the season came to an abrupt halt today.
1. Stephen Curry
A team of the year debate will always start arguments between basketball supporters, but it would be surprising if anyone would argue against this first selection. Quite simply, Curry has been fantastic for the Golden State Warriors. Ever since arriving in the NBA he has shocked us with his fantastic shooting ability, and some experts have suggested that he will be considered one of the greatest shooters ever when his career comes to an end. However, that day is a long way down the road, and it would be wise to assume that plenty of success will be enjoyed before then.
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Golden State's improvement under Steve Kerr has been one of the stories of the season, and Curry appears to have taken his game to another level with the backing of his new coach. As all great point guards do, Curry is now controlling games better than he ever has done before, and his understanding with Klay Thompson grows every night. If the voting stopped now, Curry wouldn't just be in the team of the year, he would probably be MVP, too.
2. James Harden
It's great that supporters get to choose who plays in the All-Star game every season, but in truth, the process always throws out some very unfair results. Earlier this week an update on the voting revealed that Harden is not on course to earn a starting spot, with Kobe Bryant currently leading the way to join Curry in the backcourt. Yes, the Western Conference is packed with stars, but if Harden is not a starting All-Star then there is definitely something wrong. Much like Curry, the Houston Rockets ace has stepped up his game this season.
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A gifted scorer in his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets, Harden's qualities have never been in doubt. However, there has always been a suggestion that Harden does not have the ability to lead a title-challenging side. This season is proving that those doubts are misplaced. The 25-year-old was in the NBA's Team of the Year last season, and he should secure a place on the roster again. Harden is currently averaging 27.7 points per game, and there's no reason to expect that number to drop anytime soon. On top of that, he's also improved on the defensive side to give the Rockets a big boost against their closest rivals. An in-form Harden will be eyeing the title this season, and if Dwight Howard is at his best then that dream could soon become a reality.
3. Anthony Davis
Unlike his teammates on this side, Davis might not be making an impact on the post-season. However, if the New Orleans Pelicans do manage to sneak into the playoffs, it will be down to the 21-year-old's superb displays. It's incredible to think that this is just his third season in the league, but there's no doubt about it, Davis is a star. Just as LeBron James before him, Davis is having one of those campaigns when the rest of the world sit up and realise that he is one of the finest players in the NBA. In truth, the Pelicans would probably have one of the worst records in the league were it not for Davis, who is posting brilliant numbers every single night. He's averaging 24.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and there are very few players who can dominate at both ends of the court like Davis. Get used to him dominating for many years to come.
4. Jimmy Butler
We've been a bit sneaky here by selecting Butler, who has spent most of his time playing at shooting guard rather than small forward, but the Chicago Bulls ace just could not be left out. If the MVP award is a wide open race, the bid to win Most Improved Player may as well already be over. Butler has always been respected by fans and opponents, but it's fair to say that very few people expected him to hit the heights he has done this season. As Derrick Rose continues to search for his best form following a long battle with knee injuries, Butler has taken on extra responsibility whether his teammate is on the court or not.
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It was Rose who summed up Butler's rise perfectly, telling reporters: "I think he's a star now. A lot of you can say whatever you want to say, but he's got the right attitude for it. Coming in, he was always different and always was Jimmy, and we're loving it right now because he is just making the game easy for everyone else."
After averaging a respectable 13 PPG last season, Butler has shocked everyone by taking his game to 22 PPG, and he is now an even more vital part of Chicago's title bid. The Bulls were delighted to have formed a 'big three' when Pau Gasol joined Rose and Joakim Noah in the summer, but it's Butler who is stealing the headlines this season.
5. LeBron James
The honeymoon period didn't last long after LeBron James decided to leave South Florida to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer. It's not quite clicking for the Cavaliers, who have put a lot of faith in James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving to deliver the title their supporters so desperately crave. The pressure is on LeBron, and some of his critics would have you believe that he is not having a very good season, but they would be wrong. Despite his side's struggles to find top gear, James has been consistently excellent.
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As he goes through the yearly routine of being criticised every night, James is averaging 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game this season. The fact is that Cleveland would not be anywhere near the 18 wins they currently boast without the four-time MVP, whose real challenge will be to lift his teammates in the playoffs. A title challenge is possible, but it is true that this team may need another season or two to realise their true potential. However, James will simply not allow his standards to drop. He's one of the greatest players to have stepped on the court, and he continues to deliver the goods on a nightly basis.
