1. LeBron James [1,051]
No big surprise here, King James is the first to make it to 1,000 points on the year. The real question is, how long will it be until Shaq gets his wish, and LeBron becomes the new coach of the Cavs.

2. Chris Bosh [980]
Bosh is quietly having a monster year up north of the border. Calderon is hurt, Hedo can’t seem to put two good games together and wins have been pretty hard to come by. But Bosh is playing like a man possessed.

3. Carmelo Anthony [947]
The league leader in scoring is keeping pace with King James, but he’s going to have to do more than just score if he’s going to close the early gap.

4. Dirk Nowitzki [920]
Dirk doesn’t seem to be letting his baby momma get in the way of him being an absolute stud this year. With the injurries they’ve had, Dirk is the sole reason they’re at the top of their division.

5. Kevin Durant [849]
28, 32 and 29. Not a bad week of scoring considering he only got to play three games. As long as he keeps up pace as the third-leading scorer, behind Melo and Bron, he’ll keep a spot as a contender.

6. Dwyane Wade [843 ]
He’s fifth in scoring at 27 per. He’s 14th in assists with 5.9 a contest. And he’s averaging 5.4 rebounds a game. With a little increase across the board and Wade will easily reclaim his normal spot in the top three.

7. Kobe Bryant [825]
Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. If The Rankings took toughness into consideration then Bryant would have the top spot for sure. Unfortunately, all Kobe gets is a drop in The Rankings to go with his drop in performance as long as that broken finger is bothering him.

8. Carlos Boozer [804]
Boozer has rebounded well from his poor output in an injury-plagued season last year. If he can be a little more consistent might be able to make a run at the top three spots.

9. Monta Ellis [788]
It’s good to be king, as LeBron will tell you. But in Golden State, that’s Monta. He put up 31, 18, 27 and 29 in four games last week. That’s one way to move yourself up the rankings. And his 5 assists per game on the season doesn’t hurt either.

10. Brandon Roy [771]
Mr. Consistent himself has claimed another spot in the rankings as we’d expect. The big story will be whether or not Roy picks up his production with Greg Oden out for the season. Big Ol’ Joel should be able to pick up most of the rebounding slack. But it may open up the lane a bit more where Roy can be deadly off the dribble.

11. Steve Nash [765]
Nash isn’t on anyone’s MVP list this year but he’s still averaging 18 points per game and 11 assists. Silly numbers like that will easily keep him in The Rankings. Not to mention putting up scoring efforts of 27, 20 and 28 last week. The second of which included an 18 assist outburst against Orlando.

12. Andre Iguodala [737]
Philly’s season has been a nightmare. It’s been hard to get in a groove when your lineup is constantly changing and your point guard is gone for two months. But somehow Iguodala charges on. And weeks like the last with 31, 18 and 24 will continue to earn him a spot.

13. Brook Lopez [735]
Lopez appears to be the one bright spot for the New Jersey Nets. As many injuries as they’ve had, Lopez has managed to avoid being one of them and continues to produce. I didn’t believe for a minute that Lopez could keep up the 20 and 10 he was averaging early in the season but he’s doing it. And all while shooting 49% from the field and 84% from the line. Not too shabby.

14. Dwight Howard [734]
This is what happens when you have games where you only attempt one shot. Howard is still having trouble keeping pace with the big guns this season. But his mind may be on things other than basketball.

15. Joe Johnson [719]
Hang in there Joe, don’t let your streak end now. You’ve worked so hard to stay in the rankings for so long.

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

So year two of the Basketball Jesus Rankings are upon us and what better way to kick off the NBA season that to get right to the pre-season rankings. But first, a little refresher. The criteria is simple, each player must do their best to impersonate the most well-rounded player in NBA history, none other than Basketball Jesus himself, The Hick from French Lick, Larry Joe Bird. To do so, the top-ranked players will be the ones that can amass the most points, rebounds and assists. Any combination will do.

The magic number is 45. Any combination of points, rebounds and assists that adds up to 45 per game lands you in an elite club. LeBron came close last season, averaging 43.3 in the 81 games that he played. He always has a chance. So here are the pre-season Basketball Jesus Rankings for the 2009-2010 season with the players totals from last year next to them.

1. LeBron James [3,504]
The King is back with some new tools in Cleveland, but don’t expect him to take it easy on anyone. Dwyane Wade kept it close, last season, but until he can actual overtake him, King James will retain the top spot on the board.

2. Dwyane Wade [3,373]
Dwyane Wade is the air apparent. And he’s going to be more motivated than ever with a big free agency summer coming up. The young players on the Heat roster have a little bit of action under their belt so Wade could have the pieces to really do some damage. He’ll be a force in the rankings all year.

3. Chris Paul [3,074]
CP3 has his work cut out for him. This years New Orleans team is not the Hornets team we’re used to. Paul and David West are going to really have to pick up the slack. CP3 could very well average 25, 6 and 11, which could make him very dangerous in these rankings.

4. Dwight Howard [2,829]
Howard is a beast, period. He’s perfectly capable of putting up 20 and 15 over the course of a season. And he’s an iron man, only missing 3 games his entire career, all last season. That equals one thing… big numbers.

5. Carmelo Anthony [2,176]
Anthony only played in 66 games last year so he didn’t put up the numbers everyone expected. But when he was healthy he averaged 33 total points per game. Which would have landed him in the #8 spot on last years final ranking if he’d played a full 82 games. Expect big things from Melo now that he’s had plenty of time to learn how to play with Chauncey Billups running the show.

6. Kevin Durant [2,558]
The kid just gets better and better each year. As Durant gets stronger, more durable and rounds out his passing and rebound abilities his numbers will just continue to go skyward. It’s a little early, but he could very well contend for the scoring title this year. He finished 6th last year.

7. Kobe Bryant [3,029]
The retention of Lamar Odom and the addition of Ron Artest don’t bode well for Kobe’s ranking here. We expect that Kobe will continue the trend of trying to rely more on the rest of the team now that they’re more talented and experienced. And while Artest may not take many points away from Kobe, you can be sure he’ll be vulturing some rebounds.

8. Chris Bosh [2,708]
Juwanna Man strikes again. Bosh is another one of the big free agent candidates playing for their future this year. Big numbers will equal big money for Bosh, so you can expect him to attack the rim and attack the boads.

9. Dirk Nowitzki [2,972]
Dirk made his way into the top-10 in the quietest manner of all the players, and he’ll probably do it again this year too. He puts up lots of points and cleans up the glass for a high-powered offensive team that really just isn’t that good. No reason to think that Dirk won’t do the same thing again this year since Dallas has basically the same cast of characters back this year

10. Carlos Boozer [1,063]
Boozer was M.I.A. from last years list for the majority of the season because of injuries. In fact he played only 37 games. But he is a dependable double-double man. When healthy he’ll put up 20 and 10 no problem. So expect to see Boozer in the rankings with regularity.

11. Brandon Roy [2,535]
Roy is like a miniature version of Tim Duncan. He’s consistent and reliable night-in and night-out. His game isn’t flashy and sometimes it isn’t even pretty, but he gets the job done every single night. And with more depth at point guard and hopefully in the post (we’re looking at your knees and ankles Greg Oden) Roy could shine with some additional freedom.

12. Pau Gasol [2,592]
Pau’s protected status on the Laker team should continue again this year. They don’t have to rely on him for scoring, they have a guy named Bryant to take care of that. And he doesn’t have to get beat up in the post, that’s what young bucks like Andrew Bynum are for. So Pau is free to clean up loose boards and float around the rim on offense looking for easy ally-oops like he did last year.

13. Joe Johnson [2,489]
If I learned one thing from last years rankings it’s to never doubt Joe Johnson. A lot has changed down in Hot-lanta, but one than that hasn’t is Johnson’s sweet stroke. He can score at will and I don’t expect that will change at all this year.

14. Andre Iguodala [2,446]
With a young team, Iguodala will be looked to for leadership. Much will be expected from him and I expect that much will be delivered. He’s only missed 6 games is entire career (all in the 2006-2007 season) and I expect a 21-5-5 season out of him.

15. Tim Duncan [2,514]
Less will be asked of Ol’ Reliable this year with the addition of Richard Jefferson. But if the Big Fundamental is one thing it’s consistent. So another 19 and 10 season will easily keep him in the rankings through the season.

Other notables include the already injured Antawn Jamison, the aging Vince Carter and the potentially monstrous David West. The big question mark though has to be Agent Zero, Gilbert Arenas. If he gets back to his old form, he could easily be a top-10 finisher in the rankings.

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

As we watched all year, Dwyane Wade was a close second, and took the lead a time or two, but just couldn’t make the push that he need to take over and hold onto the top spot. Kobe Bryant flirted with the third position for quite a while but ultimately gave it up to Chris Paul. 

A few players on the rankings may be indicative of their playoff push. Pau Gasol wasn’t exactly a staple of the rankings, but as the Lakers get ready to try to charge through the playoffs, get back to the Western Conference Championships and contend for an NBA title, it bodes well that Pau has been able to move up and join Kobe in the top 10 of the rankings. We’ve also seen Andre Iguodala sneak into the number 15th spot as he helped the 76ers make their run to the playoffs.

And last but not least, I owe Joe Johnson an apology. Not only did he prove me wrong by lasting nearly the entire year in the rankings, but he did it by not just scoring, but by rebounding and passing better than I thought he was capable of.

Congrats to all the players that had the staying power to make it onto the last week of the rankings. See you all next year.

1. LeBron James [3504]
2. Dwyane Wade [3373]
3. Chris Paul [3074]
4. Kobe Bryant [3029]
5. Dirk Nowitzki [2972]
6. Dwight Howard [2829]
7. Chris Bosh [2708]
8. Antawn Jamison [2675]
9. Pau Gasol [2592]
10. Kevin Durant [2558]
11. Brandon Roy [2535]
12. Tim Duncan [2514]
13. Joe Johnson [2489]
14. Vince Carter [2448 ]
15. Andre Iguodala [2446]

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

Ironically enough, we actually have two players in the rankings this week that played for one of the teams competing for the NCAA title. Vince Carter in the number 14 spot and Antawn Jamison in the number 7 spots both suited up in Carolina blue for the UNC Tar Heels. Will that bode well for their alma mater, only time will tell. Now on to the rest of the players in this weeks Basketball Jesus Rankings.

The list is rounded out by the likes of Vinsanity and The Truth, both of which continue the houdini routine, appearing and disappearing from the bottom of The Rankings.

1. LeBron James [3457]
2. Dwyane Wade [3373]
3. Kobe Bryant [3007]
4. Chris Paul [3006]
5. Dirk Nowitzki [2879]
6. Dwight Howard [2805]
7. Antawn Jamison [2643]
8. Chris Bosh [2621]
9. Pau Gasol [2558]
10. Kevin Durant [2508]
11. Brandon Roy [2498]
12. Joe Johnson [2477]
13. Tim Duncan [2436]
14. Vince Carter [2420]
15. David Lee [2391]

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

1. LeBron James [2633]
2. Dwyane Wade [2610]
3. Vince Carter [1891]

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

Ironically enough, we actually have two players in the rankings this week that played for one of the teams competing for the NCAA title. Vince Carter in the number 14 spot and Antawn Jamison in the number 7 spots both suited up in Carolina blue for the UNC Tar Heels. Will that bode well for their alma mater, only time will tell. Now on to the rest of the players in this weeks Basketball Jesus Rankings.As the NCAA tournament field dwindles, the cream is also rising to the top of the rankings with four MVP contenders at the top, lead by LeBron James, once again. Dwyane Wade is close behind but has let King James build up a bit of a lead. Kobe is in third and several hundred points behind D-Wade. But Chris Paul is right behind him in the fourth spot with enough room to overtake Kobe before the season comes to a close.

After Chris Paul it’s a log Jam with Dirk and Dwight all within 100 points of CP3.  The first Tar Heel in The Rankings, Jamison, leads off the crew of Chris “Don’t call me RuPaul” Bosh, Kung Pau Gasol, Kevin Durant, Brandon Roy, Joe Johnson and Tim Duncan that have been shuffling spots for several weeks.

The list is rounded out by the likes of Vinsanity and The Truth, both of which continue the houdini routine, appearing and disappearing from the bottom of The Rankings.

1. LeBron James [3344]
2. Dwyane Wade [3217]
3. Kobe Bryant [2872]
4. Chris Paul [2795]
5. Dirk Nowitzki [2760]
6. Dwight Howard [2706]
7. Antawn Jamison [2591]
8. Chris Bosh [2487]
9. Pau Gasol [2425]
10. Kevin Durant [2376]
11. Brandon Roy [2374]
12. Joe Johnson [2367]
13. Tim Duncan [2360]
14. Vince Carter [2311]
15. Paul Pierce [2305]

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

1. LeBron James [2633]
2. Dwyane Wade [2610]
3. Kobe Bryant [2379]
4. Dirk Nowitzki [2242]
5. Dwight Howard [2166]
6. Chris Paul [2152]
7. Antawn Jamison [2058]
8. Chris Bosh [2043]
9. Kevin Durant [2019]
10. Tim Duncan [2003]
11. Pau Gasol [1918]
12. Joe Johnson [1914]
13. Yao Ming [1909]
14. Paul Pierce [1908]
15. Vince Carter [1891]

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

1. LeBron James [2476]
2. Dwyane Wade [2395]
3. Kobe Bryant, [2315]
4. Dirk Nowitzki [2077]
5. Dwight Howard [2062]
6. Chris Paul [2034]
7. Kevin Durant [2019]
8. Antawn Jamison [1926]
9. Chris Bosh [1921]
10. Tim Duncan [1885]
11. Pau Gasol [1860]
12. Joe Johnson [1807]
13. Paul Pierce [1802]
14. David Lee [1793]
15. Brandon Roy [1785]

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

He’s got range, great court vision and a sweet in-and-out dribble move (don’t you dare call a carry or palming violation on the Prez) and he’s not afraid to step up and bury a pressure shot as you can see at the end. But how’s his right hand? I think everyone that guarded him was too afraid to test it.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s the list.

Looks like those smokes may be helping to keep Barry down to his fighting weight these days

On the short week (courtesy of the always-improving, always-interesting and always-controversial All-Star Weekend), there wasn’t a whole lot of movement in The Rankings. Aside from the start of Al Jefferson’s impending slide out of the rankings, the top-12 primarily remained the same. Rookie-Sophomore Challenge MVP Kevin Durant (5) did pass Chris Bosh (7) who’s knee was banged up enough to keep him out of the All-Star Weekend. And Tim Duncan (9) did sneak by Chris Paul (10), but that can be chalked up to the one-game advantage that Duncan had over Paul last week, 3-2.

Then there was a little ring-around-the-rosey as the two All-Stars, Paul Pierce (13) and Joe Johnson (14), leapfrogged the former All-Star, Half-Man, Half-Amazing, Vince Carter (15).

LeBron (1), Dwyane Wade (2) and Kobe (3) are still sitting at the top and each have a sizeable lead over the next. The second-half of the season should be interesting, and injuries could make or break the final standings.

1. LeBron James [2194]
2. Dwyane Wade [2093]
3. Kobe Bryant [1987]
4. Dirk Nowitzki [1861]
5. Kevin Durant [1822]
6. Al Jefferson [1783]
7. Chris Bosh [1770]
8. Dwight Howard [1760]
9. Tim Duncan [1759]
10. Chris Paul [1721]
11. Antawn Jamison [1719]
12. Danny Granger [1680]
13. Paul Pierce [1622]
14. Joe Johnson [1605]
15. Vince Carter [1601]

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.

There’s no new faces on the list this week, but there are a few players that we may not get to see for a while after this week.

The big new of the week was Kobe Bryant. Kobe had the kind of week that legends are made of. He started off in dramatic fashion torching the Knicks for 61 and setting the high-score mark for Madison Square Garden, The World’s Most Famous Arena. Next he dropped 36 on the Raptors in Toronto. In a nail-biter of a victory he put up 26 against the Celtics, again on the road in Boston. And he closed the week out with a modest 19 points in an easy win for the Lakers over the Cavaliers in Cleveland. But it was anything by easy for Kobe who was battling “flu-like symptoms” all day and even took an IV at half-time.

On the injury front, the big news is obviously with Al Jefferson. After suffering a season-ending ACL tear, Al will be sliding down the rankings after working so hard to make his way up to the number five spot. It may take a couple of weeks for 11 players to overtake him, but his farewell tour has certainly begun.

Chris Bosh and Chris Paul will probably be doing a little sliding as well. They’ve both suffered a little skid already and they continue to miss games so don’t expect to see them gain any ground this week.

All that is good news for the man who now sits at the number 15 spot, Joe Johnson. Johnson just eked out another week on the list and is poised to do so again next week thanks to some of these injuries.

Hopefully everyone can get back to tip-top shape after the All-Star break.

1. LeBron James [2098]
2. Dwyane Wade [2018]
3. Kobe Bryant [1900]
4. Dirk Nowitzki [1785]
5. Al Jefferson [1783]
6. Chris Bosh [1770]
7. Kevin Durant [1746]
8. Dwight Howard [1729]
9. Chris Paul [1701]
10. Tim Duncan [1675]
11. Antawn Jamison [1656]
12. Danny Granger [1626]
13. Vince Carter [1565]
14. Paul Pierce [1546]
15. Joe Johnson [1535]

Note: Point, rebound and assist total listed next to the player.