NBA All Star Game 2012: Power Ranking 5 Most Likely MVPs

There are only so many players capable of capturing the MVP of the All-Star game in the NBA.

First of all, you have to be a starter. They get far more minutes than players off the bench, thus giving them ample more opportunities.

Second, rarely does a player win it two years in a row. In fact, it has never been done before. Sorry, Kobe.

Third, don’t bet on a point guard winning it. Not since 1993 when John Stockton hoisted the trophy has the point man received the honors. That eliminates Chris Paul and Derrick Rose.

Blake Griffin and Andrew Bynum are too new to be shooting 15-plus shots. The vets won’t allow it.

That leaves us five guys that have the potential to take home the hardware. Here are their odds of winning it:

1. F, Kevin Durant: 3-to-1

This feels like Durant’s time. He has emerged as one of the top three players in the league in the last year and is the best pure scorer in the league.

He scores through all facets of the game and would excel in the fast-paced environment of an All-Star game. Factor in that his point guard Russell Westbrook will be coming off the bench to help out and Durant has to be the favorite.

Remember: He scored 34 in last year’s game. The Durantcula is due.

2. C, Dwight Howard: 5-to-1

Howard is going to get strong consideration because the festivities are on his home court in Orlando. Despite his trade demands, he’ll still get the full support of the crowd.

Remember last year when Kobe hoisted 26 shots at the Staples Center in LA? The guards are going to be feeding Howard early and often Sunday night.

3. F, LeBron James: 8-to-1

King James has two trophies on his mantel and has played like a man on a mission thus far. There is no doubt that LBJ is the MVP if the season ended today.

With his size, strength and speed, nobody is more suited to dominate an All-Star game quite like James.

4. G, Dwyane Wade: 12-to-1

Wade won his first MVP in the 2010 game and is actually healthy for this year’s version.

It seems as if Wade always misses the event to nurse some sort of injury, but not this year. He is capable of playing as many minutes as the team needs him to, and there is little doubt he can be the dominate player on the court if the game turns into a half-court affair.

His one-on-one skills make him almost unguardable normally; with a defense playing less than 100 percent…look out.

5. F, Carmelo Anthony: 20-to-1

‘Melo has not had a great season by any stretch of the imagination, but he is a deadly shooter who is more than capable of catching fire. If the Eastern Conference guards keep feeding his hot hand, 'Melo is capable of ripping off something silly like 20 points in a quarter.

If that’s the case, he’ll steal the show.