5 NBA 2012 MVP Candidates Besides LeBron, Durant and Kobe

It was 1956 when Bob Pettit won the first ever NBA MVP award, posting averages of 25.7 points and 16.2 rebounds per game. Since then, legacies have been made and names have been forever enshrined in basketball history alongside Dutch himself.

In 2012, that tradition will continue and yet another player will be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

While many have a shortlist of candidates that strongly resemble that of their peers, there are dark horses that have yet to receive the credit they've rightfully earned. In honor of those names, here are five players who deserve and very well could win the 2012 NBA MVP.

Honorable Mention: Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Josh Smith has been absolutely phenomenal in Al Horford's absence, leading the Hawks to the fifth-best record in the East. Unfortunately, Smith went without recognition at the All-Star Game and is likely to suffer the same fate come voting for this year's MVP.

Nevertheless, here's to Smith for having one of the best offensive and defensive seasons of any player in 2012.

Season Averages: 20.99 PER - 18.8 PPG - 9.7 RPG - 3.9 APG - 1.8 BPG - 1.4 SPG

Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

It truly is a shame that Paul Pierce hasn't won an MVP award already, as he's been one of the most consistently dominant players over the past decade. In 2012, Pierce may be putting on his finest performance as he's taken on the roles of lead scorer, facilitator and defender from time to time.

Unfortunately, Pierce isn't the Celtic who will receive MVP consideration. He does, however, deserve placement on this list and will forever live on as one of the best players of our generation.

Season Averages: 18.81 PER - 19.1 PPG - 5.4 RPG - 4.5 APG - 1.2 SPG

Honorable Mention: Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

The two-time MVP is within just one game of the Houston Rockets for eighth place in the Western Conference. Considering the expectations set out for the Phoenix Suns prior to this season, that's pretty damn phenomenal.

The reason Nash only receives an honorable mention, however, is that his failure to reach the playoffs eliminates all chance of this happening. Regardless, we've got to give the Canadian maestro his due.

Season Averages: 20.88 PER - 12.7 PPG - 10.9 APG - 3.0 RPG

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

He may have started the season off in a dreadful manner, but you'd be hard pressed to find a player who has come alive at the right time in the way Carmelo Anthony has. Nor will it be easy to find another direct correlation between poor play and losing or great play and winning.

Over the past 11 games, Carmelo Anthony is averaging 29.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The Knicks have also gone 7-4 over that span and moved into seventh place in the Eastern Conference with victories over the first-place Chicago Bulls, the Dwight Howard-led Orlando Magic and fellow playoff contenders, the Milwaukee Bucks.

While it would be ideal to see the award go to a player who has been more consistent, Melo has the name value and star city to receive the award. Don't be surprised to see some hardware heading home with LaLa's man.

Season Averages: 20.62 PER - 22.2 PPG - 6.2 RPG - 3.5 APG - 1.2 SPG

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Whether you love him or you hate him, there's no way around how masterful his play has been. Nor is there a way around how much of an impact his play has made on the Magic's surprising 34-25 record.

As far as his individual performance is concerned, Howard leads the NBA in rebounds, ranks third in blocks and second in field-goal percentage. He's also 12th in scoring and 16th in steals. Furthermore, Howard is the only player in the NBA to average greater than 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per contest.

Unfortunately for Howard, he will be sidelined with a back injury for what is likely to be the remainder of the regular season. His star power and stellar play may just be his saving grace as MVP voting approaches.

Season Averages: 24.27 PER - 20.6 PPG - 14.5 RPG - 2.1 BPG - 1.5 SPG

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

Statistically speaking, Kevin Love has had a better season than almost every other player in the NBA. Unfortunately for Love, Ricky Rubio's season-ending injury has left the Timberwolves helpless, as they've lost 16 of 20 and fallen out of playoff contention.

With this drop-off in success, Love's MVP chances have taken a serious hit. But not a fatal one.

Regardless of the MVP outcome, it's worth acknowledging how great Love has been. The former UCLA Bruin is second in the NBA in rebounding and fourth in both points per game and three-point field-goal percentage amongst power forwards. His player efficiency rating is also fifth in the NBA.

Season Averages: 25.48 PER - 26.0 PPG - 13.3 RPG - 2.0 APG - 37% 3PT

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Although hotly debated, I recently published an article in which I declared Rajon Rondo as the NBA's best point guard. I also staked the claim that Rondo is the NBA's best player. His historic season is a significant reason for that proclamation.

Not only does Rajon Rondo lead the league in assists with an unreal 11.5 per game, but he is currently on a 22-game streak in which he has reached double-digit totals. This hasn't come by barely meeting the mark either, as only two of those games have seen Rondo go for exactly 10—the first two. He's averaged 13.8 assists per game over that span.

That streak is just seven games shy of the all-time record set by John Stockton in 1992.

Furthermore, Rondo has posted six triple-doubles. One of those happened to be an 18-point, 20-assist, 17-rebound performance against the New York Knicks. In that historic performance, Rondo became just the third player in NBA history to reach the 15-15-15 mark in one game. The other two were Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain—two of the greatest players in the history of the league.

With Rondo aiding the Celtics in turning around a 15-17 season, thus taking the lead in the Atlantic Division, it's not hard to see why Rondo finally deserves his respect.

Season Averages: 17.26 PER - 11.9 PPG - 11.5 APG - 4.9 RPG - 1.8 SPG

Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

I may be in the minority, but I actually have Tony Parker pegged as my Most Valuable Player. Why, you ask? Because this is the award for Most Valuable Player—no individual has been more critical to their team's success.

In a season in which Manu Ginobili has missed 30 games, Tony Parker has posted a career year. The 2007 Finals MVP has led the Spurs to the second-best record in the Western Conference, scoring well and dishing out a career high in assists. He's also averaging his highest point-per-game average since 2009.

What might be most impressive of all is how willing Parker has been to trust his unproven teammates. Former draft bust Daniel Green and the enigmatic Tiago Splitter have had career years in San Antonio, with Parker's facilitating at the heart of their success.

Parker and the Spurs may or may not make a run in the playoffs. Regardless, Parker has done enough to win the most prestigious individual award in basketball.

Season Averages: 21.59 PER - 18.6 PPG - 7.6 APG - 2.8 RPG - 1.0 SPG