A month has already passed since the delayed start of the 2011-12 NBA season. It feels as if the season merely started yesterday, but at this point, the lockout is just a distant, horrible memory.

Many players have exceeded expectations with their play this season. It may still be a little too early to determine whether those players are experiencing a breakout season or a fluky start, but the fact remains that they have played well.

If a starting five were to be built out of the overachievers, who would deserve to be on it? Some positions have many deserving candidates, while others, not so many. All of them, however, have earned their way on to this list with inspired play,