5 Players Who Must Be Considered for the NBA MVP

Last year, Derrick Rose shocked a lot of people when he took home the Most Valuable Player award, and if it were not for an injury-plagued 2012 season, he would be in the discussion for his second MVP award.

This year, there are a few guys that you could choose, but there are only two guys who separate themselves from the rest of the pact. 

Here are five players, who could be in the running, for the Most Valuable Player award this season.   

5. Kevin Love

Minnesota Timberwolves power forward, Kevin Love, has been a huge part of the Timberwolves' success this season, and his numbers are terrific. 

Love is averaging 26.3 points per game, while also bringing in 13.8 rebounds a game. 

Kevin Love has improved in every part of his game, especially from the three.  The 6'10" 260-pound Love is shooting an impressive 38 percent from three-point land, and he has shot 45 percent from the field. 

Kevin Love also leads the league in double-doubles this season at 45. 

The Timberwolves have been a nice surprise this season, and Kevin Love has been a huge part in leading the Timberwolves to a 25-30 record.   

4. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard has been a huge key to the Orlando Magic's success this season, and the Magic could be the number 3 seed in the Eastern Conference this season. 

Dwight Howard has been the topic of trade talk this season. However, after opting in for next season at the trade deadline, the Magic have played well, and they will be a tough out in the East. 

Howard should be considered for Most Valuable Player this year, as he leads the Eastern Conference in double-doubles with 42.  

Dwight Howard has put up strong numbers this season, averaging 20.9 points per game while also hauling in 14.5 rebounds per game.  He also is averaging 2.5 blocks per game, which is most in the NBA. 

Dwight Howard should get some votes for Most Valuable Player this season. 

3. Kobe Bryant

At age 33, Kobe Bryant is having another Kobe Bryant-type season.  He is playing at an incredibly high level for his age and should be a strong candidate for the MVP this season. 

Bryant is averaging 28.0 points per game this year, collecting 5.5 rebounds per game and dishing out 4.5 assists per game.   

Kobe has lead the Lakers to third in the West, and they are an impressive 14 games over .500.  Teams shouldn't count the Lakers out come playoff time, especially when Kobe is playing at a high level. 

2. LeBron James

At this point in LeBron's career, it doesn't matter what he does in the regular season.  It only matters how he performs in the playoffs. 

LeBron James has been very efficient this year as he is averaging 26.7 points per game, 6.4 assists per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. 

This year LeBron has improved in his field goal percentage from both the three-point arc and from the field.  He is shooting 35 percent from three, while shooting an impressive 54 percent from the field. 

Those numbers are very impressive, but for LeBron, it's going to come down to whether or not he can put up those numbers consistently enough in the playoffs—the Heat are going to need him to if they want to get past the Bulls and get back to the championship. 

1. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is the favorite for the Most Valuable Player award this year, as he has lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best record in the Western Conference at 40 wins against only 13 losses. 

This season, Kevin Durant has been a force for the Thunder, as he has averaged 27.5 points per game, while grabbing 8.2 rebounds and dishing out 3.5 assists a game.  

Durant is shooting a very solid 37.7 percent from three-point range, and he has improved his field goal percentage to just over 50 percent.  

The Thunder are the favorites to win the West this year, and Durant has been a big part of their success.