As you probably have seen by now, the top 12 is a dynamic group whose rankings may fluctuate a few spots up or down each week, but by and large this group is pretty set.
James averaged 29.5 points, 8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 3 steals and 2.5 blocks in his last two games and continues to do things no other player has done in his 15th NBA season. It's remarkable, really. The only question is whether anything will change if the Cavaliers continue to struggle in the weeks ahead.
After this week's top three, it's Golden State's star-studded duo of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry rounding out the top five.
Durant put up four terrific games in a row, scoring 25 or more in all of them while averaging 3.8 3PG in the process, while Curry returned from a minor ankle injury to average 23.5 PPG, 5 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.5 SPG and 3 3PG in his last two contests. It's the same old stuff from Steph, right there.
Looking further down the list, Miami's Hassan Whiteside (31) is the biggest riser this week, as he appears to be getting over the knee injury that kept him for all but three games in December. Despite averaging less than 26 minutes in his last five games, he is averaging 13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks during that span while shooting 88.2 percent from the free throw line. Terrific numbers.
Meanwhile, Chicago rookie Lauri Markkanen (38) also makes a dramatic move up the rankings after showing that the arrival of Zach LaVine isn't going to slow down his production. Not only has Markkanen averaged 19.6 PPG and 7.2 RPG during his last five games, he's also drilled an incredible 4.2 3-pointers per game during that span. On Wednesday against New York, he attempt 15 shots from long range, making eight of them. What an excellent draft pick by the Bulls last summer!
In other news this week, Jeff Teague (63) returned to the court after a lengthy absence. Teague's eight steals in his first three games back are a reminder of what fantasy managers were missing when he went down with a knee injury.
Gerald Green (125) makes his debut on the list a week later than he deserved, but his value is tied to James Harden being out. Once Harden returns, Green will in all likelihood head back to the waiver wire in most 10- and 12-team fantasy leagues.
Others joining the list this week include Clippers point guard Milos Teodosic (143), Heat shooting guard Wayne Ellington (147) and Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell (149).
