NBA MVP 2012: Breaking Down Candidates Who Will Challenge LeBron James

LeBron James is largely regarded as the top candidate for the 2012 NBA MVP, but what about the other candidates?

There are several worthy contenders this season, including Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant. It wouldn't be right to completely disregard their play in the 2011-2012 campaign.

Here's a look at my top-five candidates for the 2012 NBA MVP, beyond James.

5. Kevin Love, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love won't win the award because his team won just 26 games this season, but his play was astounding.

He averaged 26 points and 13.3 rebounds, monstrous numbers. You add the fact that he shot 37 percent from downtown and you have one of the best power forwards in the game after just four seasons.

4. Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs were supposed to be too old this season. They were supposed to wear down as the season progressed.

Instead, youngest of the core members, Tony Parker, sparked them to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.7 assists while shooting 48 percent from the field.

3. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant didn't shoot as well this season, but he averaged 27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He averaged his most points since the 2007-2008 season.

The only thing that drops him a bit is that he had an outstanding frontcourt in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, so he did have some help.

2. Chris Paul, PG, Los Angeles Clippers

When the Clippers landed Chris Paul, they instantly thought "playoffs."

And that is exactly what has happened with Paul in town.

Paul has brought hope to a franchise that was dwindling. He averaged 19.8 points, 9.1 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting nearly 48 percent from the floor and 37 percent from downtown.

The Clippers' savior has officially arrived

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1. Kevin Durant, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder

If you are taking "most valuable player" literally, Kevin Durant has a shot at stealing the award away from James.

While James has Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Durant only has one other star on his team in Russell Westbrook.

Beyond that, Durant averaged 28 points while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range this season.

He also averaged 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks, but the thing that may go unnoticed is his uptick in rebounding. He averaged 8.0 boards this season—the best mark of his career.

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