Ranking Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Top MVP Candidates of 2012

In this lockout-shortened NBA season, numerous superstars have raised eyebrows and provided reasons why they should be in the MVP conversation.

Kevin Durant looks at potent as anybody, Kobe Bryant is averaging more points than what he tallied in the past four seasons and LeBron James is having an absolutely compelling statistical year.

Plus, we can't forget about reigning MVP Derrick Rose or other superstars such as Dwight Howard and Chris Paul

With only a little over a month left in the season, it's time to rank the league's best.

Who will walk away from this season as the league's pinnacle player? 

8. Kevin Love

When a player averages over 25 points and 13 rebounds per game, they essentially force themselves into MVP discussions. That's what 23-year-old Kevin Love has done this season.

What's more, he currently has the Timberwolves knocking on the door of the playoffs, which would be their first appearance since 2004.

While it's premature to reason that Love should actually garner the MVP award, it's not too early to bring his name into the discussions. He's playing at an elite level and figures to be one the league's marquee big men for years to come.

7. Tony Parker

Twenty-nine-year-old Tony Parker is having one of the best statistical years of his career, and he's done it while guiding the Spurs to the second best record in the Western Conference.

Parker is averaging 19.8 points and a career-best 7.9 assists per game. He's always been a reliable contributor for San Antonio, but the veteran has really taken charge of the team this year.

Quite frankly, one could argue that Parker has been more valuable to the Spurs than Chris Paul has been to the Clippers. Paul still has the edge in my book, but it's certainly not an outlandish argument, which testifies to the value of Parker and his ability to steadily lead San Antonio's squad.

6. Dwight Howard

It's unknown where Dwight Howard will finish the season. What is known is that he remains in the Most Valuable Player discussions, because a player of his unique size and ability is so coveted.

Howard's numbers, as usual, are quite impressive: 21.1 PPG, league-leading 15.0 RPG and 2.2 blocks per outing.

The only mysterious downside this year is his ridiculously low free-throw percentage (a career worst 49.5).

If this were higher and if the Magic were situated alongside the Heat and Bulls in the Eastern Conference, then "Superman" would likely find himself at the top of this list.

But as of now he's simply an admirable candidate.

5. Chris Paul

Chris Paul is respected by all and has certainly brought hype to "Lob City."

He's contributing at a highly effective rate: 20.1 PPG (on 49.1 percent shooting), 8.3 APG and 2.3 steals per outing.

And he's certainly improved the Clippers and made them into a team that can do some damage come playoff time.

But in the MVP debate, he has yet to usurp other stars. The Clips, while improved, are only 23-17 and have lost four of five. For him to prove his supreme value, his Clippers need to make more of a statement in the win column.

4. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is leading the league in scoring at 28.8 PPG and has led the Lakers to an admirable record, especially after the Lamar Odom fallout prior to the season.

Bryant's performance thus far has certainly given us reason to still situate the 33-year-old next to the NBA's elite. He's showing us he still has a handful of years left in the tank.

He isn't higher on this list because his field-goal percentage is the lowest its been since 2004. What's more, he's also seen a hike in turnovers.

Kobe appears to be resorting back to the post-Shaq, pre-Pau Gasol Kobe, when he chucked up shots at an alarming rate. While his scoring numbers are impressive this year, there are clear downsides to this version of Kobe, indicated by the low percentage and turnovers.

Therefore, we can't let him fool us into placing him at the top of the candidate list, but he is worthy of a first team All-NBA bid.

3. Derrick Rose

The reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose got off to somewhat of a slow start this year, but he's picked things up as of late.

He's averaging around the same number of assists as he did last year (eight), but his scoring is down this year (22.8 compared to 25.0 last season).

This isn't necessarily a sign of regression from D-Rose, though, as he's learning to trust his teammates more.

Plus, he's governing the team with the NBA's best record, and has enjoyed a handful of games where he's rested in the fourth quarter when the Bulls have boasted a large lead.

Because of this, Rose remains right in the middle of the MVP race, but it will be hard for him to trump the statistical campaigns of the top two candidates.

2. Lebron James

It's difficult to not list a guy who's averaging 27.7 PPG (on 55 percent shooting), 8.4 RPG and 6.6 APG as the No. 1 candidate. But this testifies to the strength of the league today and how there are a bevy of remarkably talented players.

LeBron James is having a season for the ages. What more could you ask for from a player? He's literally doing everything.

It's a toss-up between him and the No. 1 candidate, but it comes down to who possesses the most value to their team. LeBron is surely valuable, but he has two All-Star teammates (Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh) to pick him up.

LeBron did make a decision to sacrifice statistics and MVP awards by heading to Miami. The depths of this sacrifice could be seen this year.

1. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is undoubtedly having a phenomenal year. He's averaging 27.9 PPG (on 50 percent from the field), 7.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.2 SPG and 1.4 BPG. While those numbers are not quite as impressive as LeBron's, they are still very eye-popping.

What elevates him ahead of LeBron is his value to the Thunder. Oklahoma City currently boasts the best record in the Western Conference, but if you take Durant off this team, they are merely average. Russell Westbrook is a quality player, but he wouldn't have the ability to keep this team in the elite category.

The "Durant-ula" is the No. 1 candidate because he truly is the most valuable player in the league. He brings so much to the Thunder, as he's the heart and soul of their organization and their winning ways.