The playoffs are almost here, and that means that individual awards will son be given out. Coach of the Year usually goes to whomever holds the best record (Steve Kerr), Rookie of the Year goes to the most outstanding rookie (Joel Embiid), and the MVP race is as close as ever.

Russell Westbrook, my personal vote for MVP, is chasing the history last set in 1962 after his massive breakup with All-Star Kevin Durant. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Kawhi Leonard, will repeat his title, but can he win more? LeBron James is late to the race but still presents a case, leading the Cavaliers like a general in war.

But what about every other player? The other All-Star leaders and their supporting cast that can play ball to make the playoffs, but are they not contestants for the MVP title? I’ve assembled my list of the top 20 NBA players, in today’s game, from All-Star break to the playoffs.

#1 – Russell Westbrook: The OKC Guard is averaging a triple-double per game, with his points, assists and rebounds per game. Westbrook’s on track to break the record for most triple-doubles in a season since Oscar Robinson’s record of 41 in 1962. At the end of February, Westbrook had more Triple-Doubles than Jordan had in his career. Considering that Westbrook is on track to make major history that hasn’t been touched in half a decade, Russell has my vote in the MVP candidacy.

#2 – Kawhi Leonard: One of the most exciting games this season was watching Leonard, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, handle LeBron and the Cavaliers, and scoring 41 points. This year it is possible he could win a third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award, as well as being in the MVP race.

#3 James Harden: From Sixth Man of the Year winner to MVP candidate, Harden has come a long way. Now the face of the Rockets, he’s an offensive locomotive, scoring 29 points and 11.3 assists per game.

#4 LeBron James: Although he is an overall impressive athlete, his negative attitude toward the game does bring down my rating. The forward surrounded with playmakers is averaging 26 points per game and nine assists, which for a forward is impressive. With the second half of the season here, the arguable best of this time is on the hot seat for his demands and promises to the Cavaliers.

#5 Isaiah Thomas: Thomas was chosen last in the 2011 NBA draft to the Kings, but that didn’t stop him. Thomas won multiple rookie honors and continued being an above-average player for a few years with Sacramento and Phoenix. Now he’s playing so well that Boston is going to place high in the playoff race. His fourth-quarter performance in most games is often enough to push his team over the edge when the game is close. The MVP candidate is playing well enough to possibly bring another championship to Boston if he can get past Lebron James and the Cavs in the playoffs.

#6 DeMarcus Cousins: Though he carried the Sacramento Kings, playing good defense and offense in the paint, the Kings decided he was not fit for the team. New Orleans struck gold with their recent trade for the big forward. Also under a lot of criticism for his many technical fouls, “Boogie” Cousins still gets about 27 PPG and 11 rebounds while playing a good post defense.

#7 Kevin Durant: The labeled traitor to most, he plays great with his new team, the Golden State Warriors. His mentality and play on the court is just good. The best example of his excellence is silencing his critics in Oklahoma City. A big man in the paint, grabbing eight rebounds per game, he’s getting 25 PPG by dunking or behind the 3-point arc.

#8 Anthony Davis: The 6’11” young guy who averages 2.5 blocks and 28 points this season is beyond great. The All-Star MVP is having his best season yet and chasing Kawhi Leonard for Defensive Player of the Year.

#9 Kyrie Irving: This is the guy who, playing next to LeBron and Kevin Love, is doing well as an All-Star, but not the best guard in the league. He is, though, clutch player, as we all remember the shot heard around the world in the 2016 NBA Finals.

#10 Stephen Curry: Curry offers remarkable offensive capabilities, but that’s it. He cannot play a shutdown defense like other guards in the league, and it cost him a NBA Championship. He impresses everyone on the scoring side, and it won him debatable back-to-back league MVP awards. His three-point accuracy has also decreased this season, showing signs of Warrior weakness.

#11 Paul George: It’s been a little over a year since Paul George fractured the fibula in his right leg. Since returning to the NBA, he’s doing better than ever in his career, averaging 22 points per game, with a few assists.

#12 DeAndre Jordan: The Clippers have a beast in the paint, averaging highest in field goal percentage and third in rebounds. He can attack the rim viciously, and he had my favorite dunks of 2013 and 2015.

#13 Klay Thompson: Another sharpshooter on the Warriors, Thompson’s play from last year is still showing with 22 PPG and averaging a block and steal.

#14 Jimmy Butler: Having a great transition from guard to small forward to make room for Dwayne Wade and Rajon Rondo, his play hasn’t declined, with 24 PPG and 6 rebounds per game.

#15 Draymond Green: The first player to record a triple-double without having 10 or more points shows just what he does for the Warriors. The forward does have foul trouble, which was a problem in the 2016 NBA Finals.

#16 Giannis Antetokounmpo: “The Greek Freak” is having the best year in his career so far. The three-year veteran has become a huge icon for the Bucks and has much more to do.

#17 Demar DeRozan: He can score points and get rebounds, which is great as a guard. The leader of the Raptors can make an impact that the team hasn’t seen in a while.

#18 John Wall: Wall finally has help in Washington, and his stats show it. With help from Bradley Beal, Wall averages 22 points and 10 assists, some to Otto Porter, who has the highest three-point percentage in the league right now.

#19 Marc Gasol: The defensive big man in Memphis is averaging a career high in points. His play will result in a great playoff run in a few months.

#20 Gordon Hayward: The face of the Utah Jazz is bringing a team that barely missed the playoffs a year ago, a more solid winning season. Making his career high in points per game, the Jazz rests calmly on his shoulders.