NBA MVP Rankings: LeBron James Remains Clear-Cut Favorite for Prestigious Award

The NBA MVP Rankings change on a weekly basis, but LeBron James remains a constant at the forefront of the ladder for very good reason.

There are a lot of convincing cases to be made around the league at this time, but James' performance on the court this season has been, in a word, dominant.

With plenty of time left in the season, anything can certainly change, and there are a few guys making a strong push toward the top spot.

10. Russell Westbrook, PG Oklahoma City Thunder

Stats: 21.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.3 blocks, 4.0 turnovers, 45.4 percent shooting

The assist-to-turnover ratio is the first thing out of the mouths of critics when talking about Westbrook's game, but there is no denying the scoring prowess he harbors at the point guard position.

He has to get to the line more often and stop settling for jumpers at times, but there is no doubting how much impact he has on the game.

Westbrook is lightning-quick on the court, and the Thunder need his production. As long as Oklahoma City keeps winning, those doubting his game will have a lot less to talk about.

9. Blake Griffin, PF Los Angeles Clippers

Stats: 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blocks, 2.8 turnovers, 54.2 percent shooting

Griffin has elevated his game to new heights this season and has begun to find success in securing a more well-rounded attack at both ends of the floor.

His foul shooting is cause for concern, as his conversion rate hovers around 50 percent, but Griffin's ability to dominate around the rim masks those struggles.

He's making more shots per game this season despite attempting fewer on a per game basis, and Griffin has improved his field goal percentage by nearly four percent from last year.

8. Paul Pierce, SF Boston Celtics

Stats: 18.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocks, 3.1 turnovers, 42.9 percent shooting

Pierce's field-goal percentage is still slightly lower than where he'd like it to be, but that can be chalked up to a slow start as "the Truth" worked his way back from a heel injury.

The defending Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Pierce has really turned it on of late and is showing everyone that his versatile game isn't something to be overlooked.

There is no question Pierce is the most valuable part of what the Celtics have going on, and it seems like a long time ago that the chatter behind blowing up the Big Three was in full force.

7. Kevin Love, PF Minnesota Timberwolves

Stats: 25.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks, 2.6 turnovers, 45.1 percent shooting

Love has put concerns about his slimming down in the offseason in the rear view mirror, and he's just putting up ridiculous numbers on a nightly basis.

Although his current field goal percentage is tied for the worst of his career, Love is taking far more three-pointers than he has at any previous point, which has undoubtedly had an impact.

Love is making nearly two treys per game and shooting at nearly 40 percent from distance, and the fact that he's averaging more than four offensive rebounds is nothing short of absurd.

6. Dwight Howard, C Orlando Magic

Stats: 20.9 points, 15.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.2 blocks, 3.2 turnovers, 56.3 percent shooting

Howard's trade request has eclipsed the stellar season he's having for the Magic, and there is no reason to think that his numbers are going to slow down whatsoever.

The entire Orlando offense is dependent upon him banging around down low, and Howard has been a lot more aggressive on the defensive end in recent games.

The games with 20 points and 15 rebounds have become so ordinary that they rarely get talked about, and Howard has already had five games this year where he's gone for 20 and 20.

5. Chris Paul, PG Los Angeles Clippers

Stats: 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.1 blocks, 2.1 turnovers, 51.5 percent shooting

Paul is having a phenomenal first season in Los Angeles, and although we're used to impressive efforts from CP3, this year, he's really doing something special.

Sporting an unbelievable percentage from beyond the arc, Paul's assist-to-turnover ratio and keen ability to play standout defense are great strengths for a Clippers team that really needed his leadership at the point.

He's also shooting better than 80 percent from the foul line, and it's astounding that more people aren't putting a grater emphasis of just how effective he's been.

4. Derrick Rose, PG Chicago Bulls

Stats: 22.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, 3.0 turnovers, 46.0 percent shooting

Rose has been one of the most durable players in the league since his rookie season, and those questioning his ability to stay healthy this season would be wise to dig deeper.

One of the most competitive players in the entire league, Rose has no interest in individual accolades or personal achievements if it doesn't translate to wins in the standings.

His scoring is slightly down from last year, but his shooting percentage is up, and he's getting more help from his teammates as a result of a more well-rounded approach.

3. Kobe Bryant, SG Los Angeles Lakers

Stats: 29.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks, 3.8 turnovers, 44.4 percent shooting

The argument that Bryant should take fewer shots would be valid if he had some more help at the offensive end of the floor.

The Lakers are getting absolutely no production from guys not named Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, and it's forcing Bryant to revert back to his previous ways and take commanding control of the offense.

There is a lot of hefty criticism surrounding him as he carries a lackluster Lakers squad, but many of those detractors have all but forgotten he's played through a torn wrist ligament all season.

The turnovers are concerning, but he's producing across the stat sheet and is the only reason the Lakers are relevant right now.

2. Kevin Durant, SF Oklahoma City Thunder

Stats: 27.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 blocks, 3.8 turnovers, 50.5 percent shooting

Durant is not getting the attention he deserves for the season he's having.

No longer just a scorer, Durant's game has blossomed in ways some never thought possible, and he's really turned it on this year and is propelling Oklahoma City's unbelievable start.

Currently sandwiched in between LeBron James and Chris Paul and in PER with a rating of 26.56, Durant is leading by example for the Thunder during the shortened season.

Playing hard-nosed basketball at both ends of the floor, Durant is not someone the opposition can slow down with ease regardless of who defends him.

1. LeBron James, SF Miami Heat

Stats: 29.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, 4.1 turnovers, 55.2 percent shooting

As good as Durant has been, James has been that much better for Miami this season.

He's performing with remarkable consistency, his improved shot selection is a huge asset to his reshaped game and LeBron is finishing at the rim with better success than at any point previously in his career.

On a team with so much talent, James has very viably established himself as the clear-cut MVP of his team and the entire league.

There will continue to be the perpetual "count the rings" argument, but there is no detracting from what he's accomplished thus far in the 2011-12 season.