1. LeBron James
There are a lot of people that are waiting for LeBron James to begin declining and for Father Time to catch him. Well, those people will have to keep waiting, as James looks to have staved off Father Time for at least one more season.
James has looked rejuvenated and motivated this season. The Los Angeles Lakers are in the position they are in large part because James has been so dominant.
He is averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 10.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. The 10.6 assists are leading the NBA. James has not only embraced the point guard role that has been bestowed upon him, but he has also rededicated himself to the defensive side of the ball. If your superstar is getting after it on the defensive end, it sets a tone for the rest of the roster to do the same.
While James has proved his doubters wrong, some added time off for a 35-year old in his 17th season with nearly three more seasons worth of playoff games is never a bad thing. James was dealing with a nagging groin injury, so getting that healed up will be important.
If the NBA is able to continue the season, the Lakers will go only as far as James can take them. This time off should ensure that he is 100 percent healthy for the stretch run of the season, whenever it may occur.