NBA MVP Rankings: Ranking the Top 10 "Underdog" 2012 MVP Candidates

Sure, it's only the fourth week into the 2011-12 NBA season, but it's never too early to make predictions on who the front-runners are for the 2012 MVP trophy.

There have been a number of impressive performances this year, like Kobe Bryant's four straight games with at least 40 points, Chris Paul's recent emergence against the Miami Heat and LA Lakers, and Dwight Howard's monster night from the line, with 39 free-throw attempts against the Golden State Warriors.

If the MVP trophy was handed out based on impressive performances alone, the award might already be in the bag, but luckily for everyone not named Kobe Bryant in the NBA that's not the case.

There are still plenty of games left to play, but here is a list and subsequent ranking of 10 players who are early candidates for the 2012 MVP trophy.

10. Philadelphia 76ers SF Andre Iguodala

2011-12 Stats: 14.6 PPG 6.2 RPG 3.8 APG 2.2 SPG

A 76er not named Allen Iverson winning an NBA MVP trophy is highly unlikely, but if there's a year that it could happen it looks like 2012 is their best shot.

The 76ers are off to their best start, 10-3 overall, in recent memory, and while they haven't played the upper echelon of the NBA, the way they've been beating up on the weaker teams is mightily impressive.  The 76ers' hot start is in large part due to the consistent play and veteran leadership of small forward Andre Iguodala, who also just so happens to be one of the most under-appreciated players in the NBA as well.

Iguodala has played with an increased offensive efficiency this year and has continued to lock down opponents on the defensive end.  If the 76ers manage to keep their hot streak going throughout the 2011-12 NBA season, expect to hear Iguodala's name mentioned when it comes time for the MVP award to be handed out.

9. Utah Jazz C Al Jefferson

2011-12 Stats: 18.7 PPG 8.9 RPG 1.9 BPG

Al Jefferson has had one of the quietest dominant careers in the NBA, averaging nearly a double-double with 15.9 PPG and 8.8 RPG career averages.  The one problem for Jefferson is that he's never been on a truly legitimate playoff contender, and luckily that might for him this year.

Jefferson, in his eighth year in the NBA, is helping the Utah Jazz become a serious playoff contender in the Western Conference and at the same time he's solidifying himself as one of the most consistent and complete centers in the conference.

If Jefferson can pick his stats up a little bit by averaging a double-double per game and the Jazz can find their way into a mid-level playoff seeding, there's no reason why his name won't be thrown around in the MVP talk.

8. Portland Trail Blazers C LaMarcus Aldridge

2011-12 Stats: 22.7 PPG 7.9 RPG 0.8 BPG

Many thought the success of the 2011-12 Portland Trail Blazers' season was in jeopardy when they lost Greg Oden for the year and Brandon Roy forever, but LaMarcus Aldridge has stepped right in and carried the team to an impressive 8-5 record.

Aldridge has solidified himself as one of the most promising young centers in the NBA, with his ability to overpower defenders with his 6'11'', 240-pound frame, and his ability to alter nearly every shot that opponents take in the paint.

The Trail Blazers need Aldridge to be more dominant on the boards if they are going to win games in the highly competitive Western Conference.  Aldridge is averaging only 7.9 rebounds per game, which is the one thing holding him back from taking his game to the next level.  If Aldridge can increase his rebounding abilities and continue to help the Trail Blazers win games this season, his name will surely be thrown around in the 2012 MVP conversation.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves PF/C Kevin Love

2011-12 Stats: 25.6 PPG 14.3 RPG 1.8 APG

Kevin Love, over the past two seasons, has been one of the most consistently dominant players in the NBA.  Last season, LOVE averaged a stellar 20.2 PPG and 15.2 RPG, and he's on his way to similar numbers this year with an increase in offensive production to the tune of averaging 25.6 PPG.

The one thing holding Love back has been the overall competitiveness of the Minnesota Timberwolves the past few years.  In Love's three NBA seasons, the Timberwolves have a combined overall record of 56-190, which is by far one of the worst overall three-year spans of any NBA franchise in the history of the league.

While some will knock Love for his inability to single-handedly help the Timberwolves win, his statistical production speaks for itself when it comes to his value on the Timberwolves.  If the T'Wolves can be in playoff contention near the end of the 2011-12 regular season, and Love can continue to average over 25 PPG and 15 RPG, it would be a travesty if his name wasn't at least mentioned as a legitimate candidate for the 2012 MVP trophy. 

6. Orlando Magic C Dwight Howard

2011-12 Stats: 19.4 PPG 14.8 RPG 2.3 BPG

Dwight Howard has been one of the most dominant centers in the NBA over the past five years, continually holding season averages of 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds per game.  Howard is doing more of the same this year, on his way to helping the team he wants to leave, the Orlando Magic, to an impressive 9-3 overall record.

As long as Howard averages a double-double every night he will be in the MVP talk, no matter who he plays for.  The main reason why he only ranks in at No. 6 on this list is because while his play on the court is valuable for the Magic, the attention he is drawing to himself with his trade requests isn't, which will tarnish his image come MVP voting time.

Howard will always be a dominant center because of his sheer size, but if he wants to take his game to the next level and actually win an MVP trophy he needs to add some polish to his offensive game.  Unless Howard decides to throw the season for the Orlando Magic in hopes of getting traded, and he starts averaging 10 PPG and eight RPG, expect his name to be thrown in the hat for the 2012 MVP trophy. 

5. Miami Heat SF LeBron James

2011-12 Stats: 29.5 PPG 8.2 RPG 7.4 APG

LeBron James is returning to MVP form this year with his season averages that are reminiscent of his 2009 and 2010 MVP winning season totals of around 28.5 PPG, 7.7 APG and 7.5 RPG.  One of the most impressive stats of LeBron's performance so far this year is his increased efficiency shooting the ball, with a field-goal percentage of 57.8 percent that ranks fourth best in the NBA.

The one thing holding LeBron back from being higher on this list is his inability to close out games this year, which is something that the MVP voters will hold onto until he starts to prove them wrong.

With Wade sidelined for the next few games, LeBron and the Heat's upcoming matchups with the Spurs, Lakers and 76ers are a perfect opportunity for James to assert himself in the MVP discussion.  If the Heat can find their winning ways and earn the best record in the Eastern Conference, with LeBron continuing to average over 29 PPG, seven RPG and seven APG, there's no reason why he won't be a legitimate threat to win his third MVP title.

4. Los Angeles Lakers SG Kobe Bryant

2011-12 Stats: 30.8 PPG 5.7 RPG 5.5 APG

It's amazing that in his 15 previous years in the NBA Bryant has won only one MVP trophy, which came during the Lakers' NBA Finals run in 2008.  It just goes to show you that scoring alone can't win you MVP trophies.  That hasn't kept Kobe from trying to do that this year however.  

With back-to-back-to-back-to-back 40-point games, Kobe thrusted himself into the early MVP discussion, and rightfully so.

Kobe has helped the Lakers, who many thought would struggle after losing Lamar Odom and failing to land Chris Paul, to a solid 10-5 overall record.  With the emergence of Andrew Bynum at the center position, Kobe has benefited from an increased defensive focus on Bynum, which has resulted in Bryant getting open more often.

If the Lakers can continue their winning ways, and Bryant can manage to stay healthy and average over 30 PPG, there's no reason why he won't be a legitimate contender for the MVP trophy in 2012.  One thing Kobe could do to help bolster his MVP resume is to increase his rebound and assist production at least a little bit—passing the ball never hurt anybody.

3. Los Angeles Clippers PG Chris Paul

2011-12 Stats: 18.0 PPG 8.4 APG 3.0 RPG

Chris Paul has done an impressive job so far this season in meeting the expectations that the basketball world placed on him after he was traded from New Orleans to Los Angeles.  Paul recently led the Clippers to two enormous franchise wins against the Heat and the Lakers, by scoring 27 and 33 points respectively.

Most importantly this season, Paul has been a true leader out on the court for a young Clippers team that lacked leadership before his arrival.  Paul controls the pace and the tempo of the game like no other point guard in the NBA, which is a beautiful sight to see in a league inundated with run-and-gun, fast-break offense.

Paul has proven to be one of the most valuable players in the NBA by turning the Clippers into a legitimate Western Conference contender, with the help of solid performances out of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.  If Paul and the Clippers can keep winning games, and ultimately earn a higher playoff seed than the Lakers, there's a 99.99 percent chance that he will be very close to winning his first MVP trophy in 2012.   

2. Oklahoma City Thunder SF Kevin Durant

2011-12 Stats: 26.0 PPG 6.8 RPG 3.4 APG

All Kevin Durant has done this year is increase his APG and RPG averages, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder run out to a 12-2 overall record, which is the best record in the NBA so far this year.  Sure, Durant isn't scoring 30 points every night like we're used to him doing, but he is helping his team win games, which is one of the most important factors in determining the winner of the MVP.

Durant is slowly becoming a more complete player in the NBA, developing his ability to defer to teammates when necessary if it means helping his team win.  I expect Durant's PPG production to increase significantly over the next few weeks, as he gets back into his offensive groove.

If the Thunder continue to win, and they end the 2011-12 regular season with the best overall record in the NBA, there's no reason why Durant won't be a front-runner for the MVP trophy.  I know scoring alone doesn't win MVPs, but if Durant's insane ability to score helps the Thunder earn the best record in the NBA, scoring might just be enough to win him his first MVP in 2012.

1. Chicago Bulls PG Derrick Rose

2011-12 Stats: 20.8 PPG 8.7 APG 3.5 RPG

One of the best ways to see the true value of a player is to play a game or two without him, because then you'll see how truly valuable that player is to his respective team.  The Chicago Bulls tried that out last night when they kept Rose on the bench with a bum toe.

How'd that work out for the Bulls?  Not so well.  It ended with a 102-96 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

That alone should show you how valuable Derrick Rose is to the Chicago Bulls.  Without Rose on the court the Bulls lack explosive playmaking ability on offense, and they also lack any sense of rhythm offensively speaking.  While Rose's PPG average isn't at the 25-plus level it was last year, he's managed to increase his APG average while cutting down on turnovers.

The Bulls currently hold the best overall record in the Eastern Conference, and if they can manage to do that, Rose's path to a second straight MVP trophy will be that much easier.  If Rose can stay healthy and bump up his PPG production, he will easily be a favorite to win the 2012 MVP trophy, earning him the prestigious honor of being a back-to-back MVP winner.