NBA MVP Prediction: Derrick Rose Leads Pack, Durant in Close Second

Derrick Rose may have hit the jackpot with his max contract with the Chicago Bulls and a lifetime 250 million dollar deal with Adidas, but that won't hinder his determination to defend his throne as the 2012 MVP.  

According to the numbers, Rose is scoring slightly less than last year, but has been getting his teammates involved with 8.4 assists per game.  The stats, however, don't come close to painting the complete picture.

Before the onset of the 2010-2011 season, Rose asked "why can't I be the MVP?"  Most brushed this off as naivety because players like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were shoe-ins for the prestigious award.  

And Rose turned some heads when he became the youngest MVP in the history of the NBA.

This year, Rose is playing with tranquility.  Like a zen master, he is setting up other players until it's time to take over.  That doesn't mean that there is some heated competition.

LeBron James

Shooting 60 percent from the field and averaging 30 points a night, LeBron James is playing lights out.  He is playing with a new found ferocity; posting up more and not settling for jump shots.  James is arguably the most dominant player in the NBA.  He is a man among boys.

But that doesn't automatically qualify for the MVP trophy.  He also plays alongside Dwyane Wade, who his also a top three player. Any shot at winning the award might have gone out the window when he teamed up with his buddy.  

Kevin Durant 

Durant means more to his team than anyone else besides Derrick Rose.  The "Durantula" is a freakish athlete who also has the clutch gene, being arguably the best closer in the game.  Anyone who said his body is too weak to play in the NBA is eating his words because Durant will be an elite player for years to come.  He's draining 26 points a game and shooting 50 percent while bringing his young Oklahoma team to the forefront of the Western Conference.  

Durant is a close second, behind Rose, so far in the running for the MVP.  

Of course, there are other candidates that deserve mention, but historically the award has been given to a player on a championship contending team.  Kobe Bryant is always a candidate, but his team looks on the decline.  

Rose, however, is a top player in the NBA and the Chicago Bulls are a serious contender this year. Tom Thibodeau has brought his defensive prowess to the Windy City and the front office has put the right pieces around Rose.  If you take Rose off that team, they maybe win half their games.  

Honestly, I don't think the award matters to him.  Last year it did.  Now he's looking further.  

In an interview with Slam Magazine, in response to his MVP award he said:

"It was great but I’m not satisfied. I won’t be satisfied until I win a championship. I’m not satisfied at all. There’s not a doubt in my mind that I’m not going to win a championship. I’m going win multiple championships. It’s not a doubt in my mind."