Here are the challengers:
Kevin Durant - Scoring leader and seems to have found his stride again after struggling early and being carried by Russell Westbrook. Westbrook carrying the team early on could hurt KD's MVP chances as team was able to win without him.
LeBron James/Dwyane Wade - Teams flows better when LeBron plays, but Wade can win you a game singlehandedly. The fact that they are on the same team will hurt both of their MVP chances.
Derrick Rose - Bulls are still one of the elite teams despite losing their 2 best bigs (who happen to be their 2nd and 3rd best players) for extended periods of time. Despite being tied with the 5th best record in the league, the media hasn't shown the Bulls that same respect as other elite teams, and that will hurt Rose's MVP chances.
Dwight Howard - Dwight could win simply because it seems like the right thing to do (see Kobe in 2008). The Magic's record before the trade might hurt his chances.
Kobe Bryant - Kobe is always gonna be in the discussion. Team is too deep to justify Kobe winning this award when he's having a worse season than last year.
Deron Williams - Under the radar, but team is right there with the big boys (tied for 5th in the league). Some might chalk it up to Sloan's system, but as a former Illini, I know better.
Dirk Nowitzki - Had Dallas rolling before he got injured. Has missed too many games, and struggled yesterday in his return (which was another Dallas loss).
Amare Stoudemire - Put the Knicks back on the map. Team has winning record, but nowhere near elite.
Manu Ginobili - Only on this list because the Spurs have the best record in the league
Kevin Durant - Scoring leader and seems to have found his stride again after struggling early and being carried by Russell Westbrook. Westbrook carrying the team early on could hurt KD's MVP chances as team was able to win without him.
LeBron James/Dwyane Wade - Teams flows better when LeBron plays, but Wade can win you a game singlehandedly. The fact that they are on the same team will hurt both of their MVP chances.
Derrick Rose - Bulls are still one of the elite teams despite losing their 2 best bigs (who happen to be their 2nd and 3rd best players) for extended periods of time. Despite being tied with the 5th best record in the league, the media hasn't shown the Bulls that same respect as other elite teams, and that will hurt Rose's MVP chances.
Dwight Howard - Dwight could win simply because it seems like the right thing to do (see Kobe in 2008). The Magic's record before the trade might hurt his chances.
Kobe Bryant - Kobe is always gonna be in the discussion. Team is too deep to justify Kobe winning this award when he's having a worse season than last year.
Deron Williams - Under the radar, but team is right there with the big boys (tied for 5th in the league). Some might chalk it up to Sloan's system, but as a former Illini, I know better.
Dirk Nowitzki - Had Dallas rolling before he got injured. Has missed too many games, and struggled yesterday in his return (which was another Dallas loss).
Amare Stoudemire - Put the Knicks back on the map. Team has winning record, but nowhere near elite.
Manu Ginobili - Only on this list because the Spurs have the best record in the league
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