Here are the highlights of the DOTARS Ratings for this week. The DOTARS (Don’t Over - think This Ain’t Rocket Science) is an efficiency scoring system that calculates actual performance and assigns consistent values for shooting percentage, scoring, turnover, steals, and so on. There really is no accurate, unbiased measure of defensive prowess and there truly is no single objective method to fully calculate a players’ worth.

Player Rankings

Of the 420 players who have currently logged time this regular season, the Top 10 performers this week are (Ranking / Name / Efficiency Score): #1 - Kevin Durant - (29.09) #2 - LeBron James - (28.32) #3 - Anderson Varejao - (24.98) #4 - Tim Duncan - (23.70) #5 - Kevin Love - (23.14) #6 - Kobe Bryant - (22.66) #7 - Zach Randolph - (21.03) #8 - Russell Westbrook - (20.78) #9 - Dwight Howard - (20.66) #10 - Rajon Rondo - (20.53)

Here are the scores for the Knicks players:

#11 - Carmelo Anthony - (20.51) #50 - Tyson Chandler - (15.82) #61 - Raymond Felton - (14.96) #74 - J.R. Smith - (13.85) #75 - Jason Kidd - (13.77) #165 - Ronnie Brewer - (8.68) #201 - Steve Novak - (7.07) #207 - Rasheed Wallace - (6.89) #280 - Pablo Prigioni - (4.32) #329 - Kurt Thomas - (2.69) #345 - Chris Copeland - (2.28) #374 - Marcus Camby - (1.52) #375 - James White - (1.50)

Knicks Trending

Tyson replaces JR in the top 100. Melo continues to climb up the rankings but unfortunately JR keeps creeping down the list. The large number of Knicks in the top 100 is strong; but the disparity between the top ranking (Melo at #11) and the next highest (Tyson at #50)could be a cause for concern as the season goes on. If Amare can return to form that should help in the long run. Similar to Melo, Amare has consistently been a top 25 performer the last several years.

Team Rankings

The Top 5 teams this week are: #1 - Oklahoma City Thunder - (109.88) #2 - New York Knicks - (104.77) #3 - San Antonio Spurs - (104.27) #4 - Miami Heat - (104.24) #5 - Houston Rockets - (102.06). New York moves up from #4 last week to #2 this week.

The Rudy Weekly Participation Ribbons

The Rudy Weekly Participation Ribbon goes to those "try hard" "pat on the back" players and teams the try and try and try… they are very trying… to be at the top of the list… if the list of top performers were sorted in the wrong order. Like any good 5 Year or Younger Saturday Morning Soccer League, treats and snacks need to be handed out to the deserving participants.

Rudy Participation Ribbon – Player Category

This week’s bag of orange slices goes to the following five players who strived to perform at a level far surpassing their peers… in the wrong direction: #416 - Jason Collins - (-0.52) #417 - Josh Selby - (-0.80) #418 - Eddy Curry - (-0.87) #419 - Johan Petro - (-1.00) #420 - Darko Milicic - (-2.00)

Rudy Participation Ribbon – Team Category

In a clear demonstration of dedication and teamwork, this week’s case of juice boxes goes to… no, not the Washington Whizzers, but (again): #30 - Sacramento Kings - (82.96).