After exactly a month of play in the abbreviated 2011-12 NBA season, some players have stepped up in their respective positions as the top fantasy players. This five-week series will investigate the top five players at each position, what they were ranked prior to the season, and how their production will change in the future.

This week, our focus is on arguably the most important position on the court: the point guard.

5. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (No. 1 Preseason Position Rank)– Tabbed as a top 5 draft pick prior to the start of the season, Rose’s value has dropped off a little since the season began. D-Rose averages 20.8 points per game, 8.7 assists per game and 3.5 rebounds per game in 37.0 minutes per game, but missed four straight games prior to his return Monday from a toe injury. He also missed the Jan. 11 game against Washington. When he’s in the game, he’s a consistent scoring and assists machines, but injuries may continue to plague him all season. If he stays healthy, consider him a lock to regain his No. 1 ranking at his position, but keep an eye out for signs of lingering injuries.

4. Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets (No. 4 Preseason Position Rank) – Apparently, the people who pick the preseason rankings know what they’re doing sometimes. Williams has lived up to his preseason ranking, netting 18.2 PPG, 8.3 APG and 3.8 RPG. He nearly earned a triple double Sunday against the Charlotte Bobcats, with 19 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, along with two steals, and has scored in the double digits in every game he’s played. Better yet, he’s only missed one game this season. He should continue to play at this level throughout the entire season, given that the only other major scorer on the team is MarShon Brooks, though his assists per game total has room to improve this season (for his career, he averages 9.2 assists per game).

3. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 32 Preseason Position Rank) – What Rubio lacks in scoring numbers, he makes up for with pretty much every other major statistic. Though he averages only 11.0 PPG in his rookie season, he also averages 8.3 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 32.3 minutes of play. The Spaniard has had seven double-doubles on the season, which is muy impressivo for a rookie, and is on pace for the Rookie of the Year award. However, his stellar play has faltered as of late, as he’s scored in the double digits only once in the last five games, so he may not be as highly rated next month.

2. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks (No. 18 Preseason Position Rank)– In 2009, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 or more points in a game, yet for some reason his preseason ranking was surprisingly low. So far this season, he’s proven himself to be one of the top point guards in the league, despite being drafted around the 9th round in many fantasy leagues. He’s averaged 20.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and committed fairly few turnovers at 2.3 per game. With 2.0 three pointers per game and 1.7 steals per game, he gets a ton of points from categories outside of the typical points and assists.

1. Kyle Lowry, Houston Rockets (No. 13 Preseason Position Rank) – For the surprise of the year, Lowry takes the cake as the best point guard in the league.  His success is spread out over several categories, with 16.5 points, 8.6 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game, well above his career averages of 10.1, 4.7 and 3.4. He also averages 2.0 three pointers and 2.1 steals in 36.6 minutes per game, very respectable numbers. On Monday, he put up a triple double with 16 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, along with three steals, and has had several games where he came close to a triple double. If he can sustain this type of statistical success, expect him to keep his spot as the No. 1 point guard in the league for the year.