NBA midseason awards

Harden has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Rockets this season, averaging more than 29 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds per game. The assists and rebounds increases, in particular, have taken his value to the next level and helped Houston to third in the Western Conference.

Westbrook has been up to the challenge of leading the Thunder after Kevin Durant's departure. He's averaging a career-best 31 points per game and more than 10 rebounds. His quest to average a triple-double remains intact, also averaging 10 assists for the second straight year.

The four-time MVP is still in the running this year. He leads the league with nearly 38 minutes per game, also averaging nearly 26 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. James has also made plenty of news off the court, challenging his naysayers recently.

Leonard has taken another step forward this season and is the clear-cut leader in San Antonio. He's averaged nearly 26 points per game and also continues to perform as one of the top defensive players in the NBA.

It's debatable whether or not the Warriors are better this season, but adding Durant certainly hasn't hurt. He's averaged nearly 26 points per game on the league's best team, adding more than eight rebounds for the second straight year.

After being selected third overall in the 2014 draft, Embiid has finally returned healthy this season after a foot injury. He's the overwhelming favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award, averaging 20 points, nearly eight rebounds and more than two blocks per game in just 25 minutes a night.

The seventh overall pick in the draft out of Kentucky, Murray has been a strong bench contributor. He's averaged more than eight points per game at age 19.

The second overall pick in the draft out of Duke, Ingram has had his moments this season. The 6-9 forward has averaged eight points and four rebounds per game.

Perhaps the more polished college player in last year's draft, Hield has been a key contributor for the Pelicans in his rookie season. The former Oklahoma Sooners guard is averaging nearly nine points and three rebounds per game.

The 12th overall draft choice by the Magic in 2014, Saric has been a key part of the process for Philadelphia since the team traded for him on draft night. The Croatian power forward is averaging more than 10 points in his rookie season.

Leonard ranks among the league leaders in steals and also ranks near the top of the league in defensive rating. He's going for his third Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Davis is an immovable force under the basket, as he was in college at Kentucky. He's averaging the second most blocks per game and is near the top five in defensive rating.

Gobert continues to make a splash for the Jazz, leading the NBA in blocked shots and averaging nearly 13 rebounds per game. The center is coming of age in his fourth NBA season.

Whiteside ranks fourth in blocks per game, though he's well off his staggering pace of 3.7 blocks per game from last season. However, Whiteside does lead the league with 14 rebounds per game.

Jordan seems to always rank among the league leaders in blocks and rebounds, and it's the same this season. He's averaging nearly two blocks and 14 rebounds per game.

The Greek Freak has been a breakout star for the Bucks this season. While he had a solid year last season with 16.9 points per game, he's become an elite player this year with more than 23 points and nearly nine rebounds per game.

Westbrook is a legitimate candidate for both the MVP and MIP Awards, averaging a triple-double and career-high of 31 points per game. Taking over the Thunder hasn't been a problem for Westbrook this season.

The oft-injured Davis is taking a giant step forward this season with better health thus far. He's averaging a career high of nearly 28 points per game and 12 rebounds, adding more than two blocks per game as a continually elite defensive player.

Booker is making a sophomore season jump, averaging more than 21 points per game as the centerpiece of the Phoenix roster. He averaged 13.8 points per game in his rookie season.

The 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Turner has made significant strides offensively this year. He's averaging more than 15 points per game vs. 10.3 points last season. Turner also has more than seven rebounds per game.

The defending Coach of the Year is unlikely to match last year's 73-9 record from last season, but Kerr's Warriors have still been spectacular. They clearly have the most talent in the NBA after adding Kevin Durant, but the seamless transition following his signing has still been impressive.

Despite significant injuries to stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the Clippers have been hanging in under Rivers. The team is in solid position in the brutal Western Conference with the No. 5 seed and could step up when the stars are at full strength.

Another year, another brilliant coaching job by Popovich. He's continued to help mold Kawhi Leonard into a star, and the team is clearly Golden State's biggest challenger in the West.

Lue's Cavs remain the class of the Eastern Conference, and his consideration could be retroactive after helping lead the team to an NBA Championship last season. Of course, LeBron James gets plenty of the credit on and off the floor.

The Raptors challenged Cleveland in the playoffs last season and look like potentially formidable foes this season with Casey's leadership. Toronto is in fourth in the East. 

At age 35, Randolph has flourished in his full-time bench role. He's averaging 14 points per game despite just over 24 minutes per game.

Williams has been a strong veteran presence for the Lakers while coming off the bench. He's averaging a career-high 18 points per game in only 24 minutes.

After missing all of last season with a hip injury, Chandler is having a great year as a part-time starter. He's averaging nearly 16 points per game, the most in his career.

Mills has been strong in his role as San Antonio's backup point guard. He is averaging nearly 10 points per game and three assists.

OKC's backup center continues to dominate when he's on the floor. He's averaging more than 14 points per game and nearly seven rebounds despite playing just over 21 minutes per game.

Lindsey's busy offseason is paying off for the Jazz, who is a strong playoff contender in the West. George Hill has been one of the team's best players when on the floor, while veteran Joe Johnson has added a veteran presence and strong play off the bench. Going from outside the playoff picture last season to the No. 4 seed this year is quite an accomplishment.

LeBron James might not be enthused, but Griffin has done his best with what he has to work with. His creativity has helped the team add Kyle Korver, and the Cavs have been able to withstand J.R. Smith's injuries. Losing Matthew Dellavedova also hasn't had a major impact yet.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that adding Kevin Durant would be a good basketball move for the Warriors, but Myers still deserves credit for getting it done. The team has been just fine despite losing Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut and other key pieces from last year's roster.

Adding Pau Gasol during the offseason has been key for the Spurs after losing Boris Diaw, David West and Tim Duncan after last season. The team remains just behind the Warriors in the West.

The NBA's most consistently rising team could still be a major challenger to the Cavs in the playoffs this season. Al Horford was one of the offseason's most significant additions, while the team's young roster continues to show off with Isaiah Thomas becoming an elite player.