Kevin Love, Monta Ellis and Others Who Deserve More Attention in the MVP Race

The MVP race for the 2011/12 NBA season will undoubtedly include iconic figures such as Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and LeBron James.

Aside from those concrete six, there are some dark horses that may be able to make some noise as serious contenders.

Let's take a look at 11 players who deserve more attention when talking about the 2011/12 NBA MVP race...

Just missing the cut: Joe Johnson, Steve Nash, Luol Deng, and Rudy Gay. Danilo Gallinari was on the list prior to suffering a recent ankle injury.

Portland Trailblazers Forward LaMarcus Aldridge

Stats (as of 2/7): 23.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 51.4 percent shooting from the field, 2.8 APG

The biggest travesty of last year's All-Star Game was the non-selection of LaMarcus Aldridge.

Granted, many people don't get to see Aldridge play on a regular basis. However, if you live in the City of Roses, then you know what type of talent the former Texas Longhorn is.

The 6'11" power forward is supremely skilled for a man his size. He uses his length to shoot over defenders from the outside with a very soft touch. A myriad of strong post moves also accompany his prowess from the perimeter as well. 

Aldridge's game thrives in transition, and he utilizes his mobility to run down the floor that often results in dunks or layups. 

His stellar play this season has the Blazers squarely in the playoff hunt.

If there's a definition of a "quiet star" currently in the NBA, Aldridge fits that to a tee.    

Los Angeles Lakers Center Andrew Bynum

Stats (as of 2/7): 17.1 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 56.4 percent shooting from the field

Without a doubt, Andrew Bynum has established himself as the best center in the NBA not named Dwight Howard. 

The New Jersey native has been an absolute force in the middle for the Lakers. On the offensive end, he's effectively displayed an array of post moves, ranging from jump hooks to drop steps for dunks.

With his immense length, it's incredibly hard to block one of Bynum's shots. Couple that with his overall size, and Bynum is near impossible to stop in the paint when he has an advantageous position.

Defensively, Bynum uses that great length and alters numerous shots in every contest. He's also turned into a burgeoning shot-blocker, as he averages two blocks per game.

While no one will confuse him for Kobe Bryant, Bynum's impact on the Lakers is quite influential. His development has allowed for him to be considered a premier post player in the league today. 

Golden State Warriors Guard Monta Ellis

Stats (as of 2/7): 21.3 PPG, 6.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 42 percent shooting from the field

"The Mississippi Missile" has taken a step forward in the progression of his career this season. 

As teammate Stephen Curry dealt with injury problems earlier in the year, the onus was put on Monta Ellis to become more of a facilitator as opposed to his identity of being a "pure scorer." As a result, his point guard skills became much more refined.

By sharing the point guard responsibilities during the absence of Curry, it forced Ellis to become more of a true point guard. That included displaying leadership qualities and a responsibility to make his teammates better. 

He's averaging a career high in assists this season and it's no surprise, as his new coach Mark Jackson was one of the best passing point guards to have played the game.

One can bet that Jackson bestowed upon Ellis all of the little intricacies and qualities that made the former NBA point guard successful as a player.

As Ellis continues to gain maturity, his game will benefit in the long run as a result. 

Indiana Pacers Forward Danny Granger

Stats (as of 2/7): 18.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 37.7 percent shooting from the field

Granger isn't shooting a good percentage from the field, but he makes this list based on being the best player on perhaps the surprise team in the NBA thus far. The Pacers are off to an impressive 17-7 record.

Aside from the last two seasons, the Pacers have been in relative obscurity for the majority of Granger's career. As a result, the former New Mexico product has been severely underrated nationally as a player.

In terms of game, Granger can do a lot of things out on the court. He's an incredibly smooth athlete and can make scoring look easy at times. The small forward is also versatile in the sense that he's equally effective playing on the perimeter as he is around the basket with his crafty moves.

If he played in a bigger city, Granger would be a much bigger star than he currently is.  

Cleveland Cavaliers Guard Kyrie Irving

Stats (as of 2/7): 18.1 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.4 RPG, 50 percent shooting from the field

Do I think Kyrie Irving has a realistic chance at winning the Most Valuable Player award? No.

Is he the most valuable player for the Cleveland Cavaliers up to this point? Absolutely.

The rookie guard has made an undeniable impact on the franchise in his debut to the league. There's no question that he's instantly become the face of the franchise.

A fascinating aspect is that Irving only played 11 games during his career at Duke.

That's truly remarkable.

Irving has displayed great playmaking ability to go along with his impressive quickness and skill level. He's constantly looking to set up his teammates while also, if need be, demonstrating the wherewithal to aggressively attack the basket when the team is going through a lull offensively. 

While the Cavaliers sit currently at a modest 9-14, they endured a stretch last year in which they lost 26 consecutive contests! Irving's impact has changed the complexion of the team leaps and bounds from where the Cavs were a year ago.

Count me in with the others that did not believe Irving would be this good so soon.  

Utah Jazz Center Al Jefferson

Stats (as of 2/7): 18.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 47.6 percent shooting from the field

The most overlooked big man currently in the NBA? You'd be hard-pressed to find a player that fits the bill more than Al Jefferson.

Great hands and constant physicality around the rim characterizes Jefferson's game. He just bulldozes opponents in the paint and bullies his way to the rim for easy baskets.

His long arms also help to make him an effective shot blocker, as he's averaged more than one block per game. He's also a good rebounder, collecting nine boards a contest. 

Playing in Utah doesn't exactly give Jefferson the greatest exposure, but nonetheless he's a quality post player with an underrated reputation.

He's the best player on an upstart Jazz squad looking to sneak their way into the playoffs. If they do, a big reason will be due to the play of Jefferson.

Milwaukee Bucks Guard Brandon Jennings

Stats (as of 2/7): 19.9 PPG, 5.4 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.3 RPG, 43.3 percent shooting from the field

The dynamic athlete from Compton has truly evolved this season into a better lead guard.

Jennings has always been blessed with great physical tools (namely lethal quickness and athleticism), but his outside shot and lack of consistency has always been questioned.

This season, he's putting some of those critics to rest. 

Jennings has become a much more efficient point guard. His assist total would be even higher if stud center Andrew Bogut wasn't injured for the majority of this season.

Also, he's shooting at a 43 percent clip, the highest out of any season in his career. 

At only 22, his personal growth will only continue to expand. He's maturing and, as a result, his understanding of the game has been enhanced.

Minnesota Timberwolves Forward Kevin Love

Stats (as of 2/7): 25.0 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 45.1% shooting from the field, 37.8 percent shooting from three-point range

Love is, bar none, the most multifaceted big man currently in the NBA. 

He combines brutish strength in the post with a silky smooth outside shot. As evidenced by his stellar statistics, he's also an absolute demon on the boards. 

The skill level demonstrated by Love is extremely high, and it's exemplified by his astronomical basketball I.Q.

What makes Love great ultimately is his competitive streak. He's extremely passionate out on the floor and he combines his wonderful talent with a will that simply will not be denied. 

His current Minnesota Timberwolves squad is much better than the ones he's been a part of in years past. Love is the central cog in the T-Wolves engine and when he's on, the engine performs like a dream. 

San Antonio Spurs Guard Tony Parker

Stats (as of 2/7): 18.2 PPG, 7.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 45.5 percent shooting from the field 

The veteran point guard Tony Parker is having himself quietly a very good year for the seemingly ancient San Antonio Spurs.

With the injury to Manu Ginobili earlier in the season, Parker's had to pick up the production in the backcourt and has answered the bell quite well. 

The savvy Frenchman still has a second gear with the ball that makes him look jet-like when driving the lane. Of course, more often than not he'll pull up with his patented tear-drop floater. 

At 29, Parker is having a renaissance of sorts and has bounced back from a couple subpar seasons recently. His value is extremely high to the Spurs and he's been their best player this season unquestionably. 

Just recently, the three-time All-Star became the Spurs' all-time leader in assists with 4,475. 

Los Angeles Clippers Guard Chris Paul

Stats (as of 2/7): 18.5 PPG, 8.9 APG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 SPG, 51.5 percent shooting from the field 

Yes, Chris Paul is on this list.

The elite point guard usually is up there in the running for the MVP award, but he's been a bit overshadowed this season by the advent of "Lob City" and by the spectacle that is Blake Griffin.

Although that may be the case, CP3's impact on the Clippers has been incredibly great.

One has to look at the effect Paul has had on his teammates. Both Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are getting spoon-fed layups and dunks with regularity.

He's a true wizard with the ball, having the ability to manipulate the opposition and exploit every angle and opportunity presented to him out on the court. Paul's constant displays of supreme intelligence and cleverness are apparent in every single Clippers contest.

Simply put, the former Wake Forest guard is a true maestro with the ball in his hands.  

Paul will undoubtedly be picking up the scoring load a bit more due to Chauncey Billups' season-ending injury.

Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook

Stats (as of 2/7): 21.9 PPG, 5.8 APG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 45.4 percent shooting from the field

The ultra-athletic guard might play second fiddle to Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City, but he's still an exceptional player with immense upside.

Westbrook has been criticized in the past for his poor shot selection and penchant for turning over the ball. There's also been some tension between himself and Durant as well.

This season however, the former UCLA Bruin has evolved into more of a complete player. Westbrook has been more under control and hasn't been trying to force plays as often as in the past. His feel as a player has been improving in addition to his decision-making with the basketball.

He's a huge reason as to the Thunder's success early in this season. Oklahoma City currently sits at 20-5, which equals the best winning percentage in the entire league.