NBA MVP 2012: Who Does More for the L.A. Clippers, Blake Griffin or Chris Paul?

The 2011-12 NBA season has barely begun, especially for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Five regular-season games has been enough to see that they are co-led by Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, but which is more valuable?

The Clippers (3-2) lead the NBA's Pacific division, and there's no reason to believe that they will relinquish first place.

They have taken care of business against the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. More importantly, they have been the only team to prevail against the high-scoring Portland Trailblazers.

Losses to the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs were deflating, but understandable. Both contenders developed chemistry during successful 2010-11 campaigns, and that has helped them thrive so far this season. The revamped Clippers didn't have much of a chance considering their numerous roster changes over the past 12 months.

My point is that the Clippers' hot start is sustainable and when a team wins, their key players are thrown into the NBA MVP discussion.

In his second season, reigning Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin is emerging as such an individual.

Yes, his rebounding is down—from 12.1 per game to 9.6. However, that has more to do with center DeAndre Jordan finally getting the minutes he deserves. The fact that Griffin is grabbing more boards than Jordan is impressive in itself.

Meanwhile, his field-goal percentage has shot up to 56.8 percent and his scoring average is fourth best in the Western Conference (25.2 ppg).

Although he continues to be a mediocre free-throw shooter, at least he draws a half dozen fouls per game and keeps opposing big men off the floor.

His player efficiency rating is a beastly 25.6 (league average is 15.0).

Chris Paul is the most notable of the new faces getting acclimated to the Clippers.

With the gift of amazing court vision, Paul controls the offense in the half court and in transition. He is a remarkable passer—those alley-oops are tougher than they look!

He is shooting a cool 42.9 percent on three-pointers, leading the league with 2.6 steals per game and is in select company with an average of 9.8 assists per game.

Unfortunately, these two superstars might ultimately take MVP votes away from one another come season's end. It's difficult to tell whose making the greater impact.

It's too early to draw conclusions about anything through five contests. But assuming Blake Griffin and Chris Paul stay healthy in this abbreviated season and maintain the stellar stats they've posted so far, who will be the better NBA MVP candidate?

When in doubt, I always go with the point guard.

Paul makes all his teammates better on offense by putting the ball exactly where it needs to be. He often manipulates his opponents by driving to the basket and either finishing himself or finding an open man. He has made the difference in Griffin's and DeAndre Jordan's field-goal percentages in 2011-12.

Also, he excels on both ends of the floor, whereas Griffin has yet to establish himself as an outstanding defender.

That's my opinion. Share yours!