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; so the DOTARS focuses on the hard numbers. Here are the highlights of the DOTARS Ratings for this week.

Player Rankings

Of the 434 players who have currently logged time this regular season, the Top 10 performers this week are (Ranking / Name / Efficiency Score). #1 - LeBron James - (29.96), #2 - Kevin Durant - (28.85), #3 - Kobe Bryant - (24.02), #4 - Anderson Varejao - (22.95), #5 - James Harden - (22.82), #6 - Carmelo Anthony - (22.65), #7 - Kevin Love - (22.55), #8 - Tim Duncan - (22.28), #9 - Russell Westbrook - (22.01), #10 - David Lee - (21.56).

Knicks Ratings

#6 - Carmelo Anthony - (22.65), #32 - Tyson Chandler - (17.15), #72 - Raymond Felton - (14.18), #73 - J.R. Smith - (14.08), #75 - Jason Kidd - (13.89), #210 - Rasheed Wallace - (7.14), #230 - Steve Novak - (6.44), #233 - Ronnie Brewer - (6.31), #283 - Chris Copeland - (4.64), #284 - Pablo Prigioni - (4.62), #323 - Kurt Thomas - (3.50), #330 - Marcus Camby - (3.23), #413 - James White - (0.72), #423 - Amar'e Stoudemire - (0.25).

Knicks Trending

What a difference one monster-efficient game can be. Melo last week fell to #9; but after Tuesday’s game he moved up to #6 with a 22.65 DOTARS score. Tyson crept back up to #32 from #38 last week (and #33 the week before); Felton, JR, and Kidd round out the top 100. A disturbing trend, which may be a symptom as to why NY’s team score is dropping is that after Jason Kidd (#75), you have to go all the way to the oft-injured Rasheed Wallace at #210 to find the next highest Knick.

Team Rankings

The Top 5 teams this week are: #1 - San Antonio Spurs - (111.56), #2 - Oklahoma City Thunder - (109.99), #3 - Houston Rockets - (104.70), #4 - Los Angeles Clippers - (104.09), #5 - Los Angeles Lakers - (103.01). New York’s team score actually raised from 101.37 to 101.42; however their fall continues; going from #8 to #9.

The Rudy Weekly Participation Ribbons

The "Rudys" go to those "try hard" "pat on the back" players and teams that 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. #430 - Josh Selby - (-0.38), #431 - Orlando Johnson - (-0.40), #432 - Johan Petro - (-0.45), #433 - Eddy Curry - (-0.87), #434 - Darko Milicic - (-2.00).

Rudy Participation Ribbon – Team Category

Though each of their team scores is higher than last week the bottom three Team Rudy recipients again are the Cavs, Whizzers and the Pelicants. Juice boxes for everyone! #28 - New Orleans Hornets - (89.50), #29 - Washington Wizards - (85.75), #30 - Cleveland Cavaliers - (84.87).