NBA.com

League MVP Chris Paul has been spectacular during the first half of the season. He has the second-best individual performance, and led his Hornets team to the best record in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Paul currently leads with an MVPER score of 167.05 and his Hornets are 21 games over .500 when he plays. Finally, he also second in the league in individual performance.

Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns (MVPER = 163.47)

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Top Individual Player LeBron James is head and shoulders the best individual player within the NBA this season. His PER score of 113.27 at least 5 points better than any other player. James is also leading a mediocre team to lofty expectations. His team is 12 games over .500 when he plays, and a woeful 0-6 when he does not play for them.

Other honorable mentions for the mid-season Top Individual Player award.
2. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (PER = 107.84)
3. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns (PER = 106.96)
4. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (PER = 106.29)
5. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns (PER = 106.16)

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Top Offensive Player LeBron James is having another specta-cular offensive season within the league. He currently leads the NBA in scoring per complete game (48 minutes of action), and is also 22nd in assists per complete game. His offensive rating is 116.70

Other honorable mentions for the mid-season Top Offensive Player award.
2. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (Offensive rating= 112.18)
3. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns (Offensive rating= 109.09)
4. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (Offensive rating= 105.86)
5. T.J. Ford, Phoenix Suns (Offensive rating= 103.32)

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Top Defensive Player Marcus Camby is having another sensational defensive performance during the first half of the season. He is currently leading in defensive and total rebounds per complete game, and in blocked shots per complete game. Camby's league-leading defensive score is 134.43

Other honorable mentions for the mid-season Top Defensive Player award.
2. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks (Defensive rating= 105.44)
3. Brian Skinner, Phoenix Suns (Defensive rating= 101.52)
4. Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers (Defensive rating= 101.42)
5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (Defensive rating= 99.88)

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Rookie MVP of the Year Kevin Durant, as expected, is currently running away with the Rookie-of-the-Year award. He is leading in both the individual PER and MVPER rookie categories with scores of 84.45 and 101.33 respectively.

Other honorable mentions for the mid-season Rookie award.
2. Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets (PER = 74.48)
3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks (PER = 73.14)
4. Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers (PER = 73.04)
5. Jianlian Yi, Milwaukee Bucks (PER = 72.12)

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Revolutionary New Basketball Analysis

The Basketball Performance Efficiency Rating (PER) system evaluates players in the nine statistical categories of points scored, rebounds collected, assists distributed, steals, blocks, turnovers, two-point shooting percentage, three-point shooting percentage, and free throw percentage.

Each of the first six categories are adjusted from ‘per game’ to ‘per complete game’ by making due adjustments for the actual minutes played each game. The three shooting percentages are combined into one overall shooting percentage.

The nine categories are then appropriately weighted to reflect their overall contribution to basketball success.

The PER therefore measures their performance relative to a complete game.

The PER scores should be interpreted as follows:

	A score of 100 or greater is consid-ered an extraordinary performance (in the top 1% of the entire league)
	A score between 90 and 100 is considered a superior performance (top 5%)
	A score between 80 and 90 is considered above-average performance
	A score below 70 is below-average performance
	A score below 60 is considered a significant under-performer

The PER methodology has also developed the Most Valuable Player Efficiency Rating (MVPER) award which measures the top MVP performer within the league each year. This measure considers the outstanding player for any given season who had the greatest impact within the league. It combines both strong individual performance – measured by the Individual PER – with his contributions to team wins when that player competed. This MVPER measure therefore combines both individual skills and winning intangible into overall player performance score.